ULEZ & Clean Air Zones
What is ULEZ
What is ULEZ?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 5 industry sources
ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone and is a daily charging zone in London designed to reduce air pollution. Vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards are charged £12.50 per day to drive within the zone, which now covers all London boroughs.
How ULEZ Works
Daily charge:
Vehicles that don't meet the required emission standards are automatically charged £12.50 per day. The charge applies 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
2
Automatic cameras:
ULEZ is enforced by a network of cameras that read number plates. There are no toll booths — TfL checks your vehicle against its records and issues a charge if applicable.
2
Non-payment penalty:
Failing to pay the daily charge results in a Penalty Charge Notice of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
2
Which Vehicles Are Affected
Petrol cars:
Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emission standards, which broadly means vehicles registered after January 2006 are likely to comply.
4
Diesel cars:
Diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards, meaning most diesel vehicles registered before September 2015 will not comply and face the daily charge.
4
Heavier vehicles:
Lorries, buses, and coaches face a higher daily charge of £100 and must meet Euro VI standards for both petrol and diesel engines.
2
Check your vehicle:
TfL's free vehicle checker tool lets you enter your number plate to confirm whether your car is ULEZ compliant before you drive into the zone.
3
ULEZ vs Clean Air Zones
ULEZ is London-specific:
ULEZ is operated by Transport for London and is distinct from the national Clean Air Zone framework, which covers other UK cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, and Bath.
5
Other UK cities have CAZs:
Several English cities operate Clean Air Zones under a government framework, but the charge levels, vehicle categories, and boundaries vary by city.
5
London also has the Congestion Charge:
ULEZ overlaps with but is separate from the London Congestion Charge zone in central London. The two charges can apply simultaneously in the central area.
2
What This Means for Fuel Costs
Older diesels hit hardest:
Drivers of pre-2015 diesels in London face up to £4,562 per year in ULEZ charges on top of fuel costs, making the running cost of older vehicles significantly higher.
Switching vehicles affects fuel spend:
Many drivers affected by ULEZ are considering switching to newer, more fuel-efficient, or electric vehicles. Use CheckFuelPrices to compare fuel costs at stations near your route while you plan.
1
Sources
Ask a follow-up
Sign in to ask follow-up questions
Create a free account to ask unlimited questions and get personalised fuel answers.
Find cheapest fuel near you
Compare live petrol and diesel prices at 4,000+ UK stations to offset rising motoring costs.
Find Fuel Prices