The Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) expansion has been a contentious issue in London since its implementation in August 2023. Under the Ulez system, vehicle owners whose cars do not meet emissions standards are charged a fee of £12.50 a day to drive through central London, with the intention of improving the city’s air quality. Despite a lack of opposition to the original Inner London Ulez, the expansion drew considerable backlash from suburban residents and political opponents of Mayor Sadiq Khan.
With the mayoral election approaching, Ulez has become a central issue for candidates and voters alike. Khan has pledged to maintain the Ulez system as it is, while his Conservative opponent Susan Hall has promised to scrap it. Other candidates, such as the Green Party’s Zoe Garbett and Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie, have proposed alternative measures such as a road pricing consultation and retrospective scrappage funding for Londoners in need.
While the Ulez system has generated over £130m in revenues since August 2023, its future remains uncertain. As of October-December 2023, an average of 45,222 vehicles a day paid the fee, with 30,725 still driving non-complaint vehicles without being charged. The London-wide Ulez has seen a 95.8% compliance rate among moving vehicles, with 123,137 applications for scrappage funds paid out so far.
Official pollution data for the Ulez system is not yet available, but some provisional monitoring data suggests that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations are lower compared to the same period in 2022-23. Campaigners for air quality have welcomed the Ulez system, and some believe that it could influence the mayoral election, particularly if the race is tight. While Khan currently leads in the polls, the final outcome is still uncertain
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