London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
From what it is to where it applies and how much it costs, find out how best to navigate London’s ULEZ.
You may be thinking about changing your routine, route, or vehicle driving in London. Whether zooming around on a motorcycle or cruising in your car, this could mean exploring how the city's ULEZ rules could impact your decision.
And, potentially, affect your car insurance choices.
In this article, you'll find:
What is the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is “the largest clean air zone in the world,” helping to lower air pollution in the city, benefit public health and also helping to combat climate change. Footnote [1] Covering all London boroughs, the ULEZ is in affect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year (except Christmas Day).Footnote [1]
ULEZ hit the roads of central London in 2019. Footnote [2] Since then, cities across the UK adopted and adapted Low Emission Zone schemes. But, true to the city’s trend-setting nature, the ULEZ is unique only to London. In August 2023, London expanded the zone from greater London to include all London boroughs.
To help visualise the areas covered by London’s ULEZ, check out the map below from Transport for London: Footnote [3]
Why do we have it?
Its goal is to limit the types of vehicles that spew more nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and harmful particulates from busy city areas. And, in so doing, improve air quality for those living, working and breathing there.
So, cars that don't meet the emissions standards for the zone face a daily charge. This is to encourage switching to more environmentally friendly vehicles or to use public transport, walking or cycling. More on those fees and types of cars in the table below.
| What does it mean? | Where does this apply? | Which vehicles are affected? | Charges | |
| ULEZ | Ultra Low Emission Zone | · Central London · Greater London boroughs Check the Transport for London (TfL) website for specific postcodes. | Any vehicle that doesn’t meet the ULEZ emission standards, which are:Footnote [4] · Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category) · Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles · Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles Check the ULEZ emission standards on the TfL website and whether your vehicle meets the standards here. | · £12.50 for cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes). |
| LEZ | Low Emission Zone | · All London boroughs Check the Transport for London (TfL) map. | Mainly commercial diesel vehicles · buses · lorries · coaches | · £100 - £300 depending on the type of vehicle, its weight and emissions. Check out guidance on the charges per vehicle and how to pay on the TfL websiteFootnote [5] |
| CAZ | Clean Air Zone | · Bath · Birmingham · Bradford · Bristol · Portsmouth · Sheffield · Tyneside Check out the guidance on clean air zones from Gov.uk. | Minimum standard Footnote [6] 1. Buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles: Euro VI 2. Vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cars: Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol) 3. Motorcycles: Euro 3 Check out types of clean air zones and their vehicle types on Gov.uk. | Check the charges that may apply for your city: · Bath · Bradford · Bristol |
Do low emissions affect my car insurance?
This is a bit tricky to answer because car insurance premiums are figured out based on a few things: the car you drive, where you keep it, who drives it, your driving history and even your profession.
But some decisions you make could help limit your costs, financially and environmentally.
5 ways to keep costs low for your wallet and the earth
1. Drive a car from a low emission group– every make and model of car on the road belongs to an insurance group. And the insurance industry assigns cars these groups with categories from 1 to 50. The higher the number, the more it may cost to insure. These insurance groups are based on (to name a few things)
- how long it takes to repair
- how much it costs to make repairs
- how well the bumper protects the car
- the value of the new car
- how much parts cost
- power and acceleration
- safety features
- security features
So, finding a car in low insurance group could be one way to help to lower your premium. And this may lean you towards cars that are:Footnote [7]
- low emission vehicles (LEVs) – producing less than 100 grams of CO2 for every 1 kilometre travelled.
- ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) - having less than 75 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) from the tailpipe.
- electric vehicles (EVs) - produce no tailpipe CO2 or pollution.
As an added bonus, EVs are currently eligible for the 100% cleaner vehicle discount, says the UK Vehicle Certification Agency. And there is no Congestion Charge for access to the Ultra Low Emission Zones for all ULEVs.”Footnote [8]
To find a list of LEVs, ULEVs, and EVs check out the Vehicle Certification Agency. For more information, read our article on electric vehicles and congestion charges.
2. Find the right insurance – finding insurance that meets your needs and helps protect you if something goes veering off course is important. Shopping around to get quotes is a great step towards finding insurance that fits your life. If you’ve found an EV to bring home, then look at car insurance which covers your electric vehicle.
3. Make mileage matter – check how much you’re driving based on your mileage. Often, the lower the mileage, the less fuel used.
4. Park safely – you may be able to get lower premiums if you park your car in a drive or garage rather than on the road overnight.
5. Pay in full – it may help reduce the price of your car insurance if you can afford to pay the amount in full annually rather than monthly.
How much does ULEZ cost for drivers?
If your car doesn’t meet the emission standards for the ULEZ and you’re planning a trip into the area, you’ll pay £12.50. Footnote [1]
What does CAZ mean for drivers?
Currently, seven cities in the UK have a Clean Air Zone (check the table above). The goal of a CAZ is to limit the public’s exposure to harmful pollution by:
- placing rules around the highest polluting vehicles
- encouraging use of cleaner vehicles
- encouraging people to move around in more environmentally friendly ways (walking, cycling, or using public transport).
Depending on where you live and what you drive, you may need to pay a fee for driving in the CAZ (check out the table above).
Can I get a grant for living near a CAZ Zone?
This depends on your city. Some cities, like Bristol, offer grants or loans to help people (or businesses) replace vehicles that don’t meet the CAZ emission standards.
Criteria for eligibility and grant amounts also differ from city to city. Check out your city’s Local Authority website for specific details.
Advice for drivers
As with most things in life, a little preparation can help you go the distance. In this case, into the ULEZ, here are few points to make the journey smoother:
- Use the TfL vehicle checker before driving in to London, so you know whether you’ll need to pay the ULEZ, LEZ or Congestion Charge.
- Pay the charge ahead of time, so you’re not worried about it in the stress of the moment or forget within 3 days of the trip.
- Remember that the ULEZ and Congestion Charge don’t always operate at the same times. The ULEZ is in effect 24 hours a day, every day of the year (except Christmas Day) whereas the Congestion Charge varies. Depending on where and when you travel, you may need to pay one or both.
- Check options for public transport (bus, train and tube) to limit your drives into ULEZ and Congestion Charge areas.
- Bookmark this article and the TfL ULEZ website so you have it to hand when travelling.
- If your vehicle isn’t exempt from the Congestion Charge, ULEZ or LEZ, you can take some of the worry away by signing up to TfL’s Auto Pay. This way, TfL will bill you automatically for the number of charging days your vehicle travels within the Congestion Charge area, LEZ or ULEZ.
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