If cities want to clean up their air and get people using healthier, more climate-friendly modes of transport, London has demonstrated a solution that genuinely works. Its new-ish “Ultra Low Emissions Zone,” which was established on April 8, 2019, has led to major shifts in transportation patterns. That said, there are also some downsides.
A survey conducted by Bikesure in March found the following, via Bikesure:
65.3% of Londoners changed their mode of transport for the ULEZ
19.6% of those who changed their usual mode of transport now use a low-emissions motorcycle or scooter/moped
26.7% can’t afford to drive in the ULEZ
11.3% of respondents thought the ULEZ was a bad idea
73.5% changed their usual transport before the ULEZ was introduced or within three months
30.9% of people said that they won’t be able to afford to drive/ride in London after the ULEZ is expanded in 2021.
You can actually drive in the ULEZ without any charges if you have a clean enough car — an electric car or at least a Euro 4 petrol-engine car or Euro 6 diesel-engine car. However, if your vehicle doesn’t qualify as clean enough, you have to pay £12.50 a day to enter the zone or you could be fined £160.