Is Your Business Vehicle ULEZ Compliant?

29 August and ULEZ expands to take in every London borough. Those driving into the ‘Big Smoke’ with non-compliant vehicles will have to pay £12.50 a day or face a fine. Now is the time to check your vehicles’ statuses.

The Sadiq Khan’s widely-hated Ultra Low Emission Zone is seeing some boroughs push back by refusing to install the spy cameras that support the scheme – but it looks certain the Mayor of London will get his way.

According to Khan, road transport is the single biggest producer of nitrogen dioxide per year with toxic air killing 4,000 Londoners prematurely per year and thousands more at risk of developing illnesses such as cancer, asthma and lung disease.

 

Is my vehicle compliant?

Motorists can check on the TFL website whether their vehicle meets emissions by keying in their vehicle number plate.

In order to avoid paying charges, drivers need to meet the required Euro emissions standards for their vehicle and emission type. These are as follows:

  • 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.

Those working with heavier commercial transport or van leasing should also check their weight of their vehicles. Lorries, vans and specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes alongside buses, minibuses and coaches over 5 tonnes don’t need to pay the charge.

 

How can I pay?

Currently the charge is £12.50 per day for non-compliant cars, motorcycles, vans and specialist vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) and mini-buses (up to 5 tonnes).

If you drive within the zone, you’ll have to pay by midnight on the third day following a journey. Failure to pay will incur a penalty charge notice. Drivers can pay directly on the TFL website. (A non-compliant vehicle parked but not moved in the zone does not incur a charge.)

You can also elect to pay via Auto Pay which automatically bills you for any congestion charges or ULEZ charges you may owe. There are no registration or renewal fees.

Finally, drivers can also opt to set up payment via the TfL Pay to Drive in London App which can also be used to pay penalties, save vehicle details and check if a postcode is in an ULEZ charging zone.

 

How much will this cost me over a year?

Naturally, amid the current cost-of-living concerns, penny-prudent drivers will be wary of accruing hefty charges once these new measures are in play. Over a typical five-day working week, drivers will rack up £62.50 in charges which amounts to £3,250 over the course of a year.

 

Picture: Ultra Low Emissions Zone.

www.vanninja.co.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
21st May 2023

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