Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Air pollution is not just a central London problem, with many areas still exceeding the legal limits for pollution across the city. That is why the central London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has expanded as part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to help every Londoner breathe cleaner air.

Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone.

In October 2021 the ULEZ was expanded to create a single, larger zone up to the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). Recently, on 29 August 2023, the ULEZ was expanded to cover all London boroughs, not including the M25.

Cars, motorcycles, vans and other specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes) will need to meet the required ULEZ emissions standards when driving within and into the expanded zone or pay a daily charge.

If your vehicle is compliant with the ULEZ requirements, you will not need to pay to enter the ULEZ.

The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends (except Christmas day), with a £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards.

92% of vehicles are already compliant. You can check if your vehicle is compliant by entering your vehicle registration number on TfL’s website.

The ULEZ expansion and scrappage scheme is helping clear London's air by providing grant payments to successful applicants to scrap or retrofit vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards and switch to cleaner, greener modes of transport.

Following the success of the last scrappage scheme, which saw the removal of more than 15,000 polluting vehicles from London's roads, this scrappage scheme supports London residents and small businesses (under 50 employees), micro businesses (up to 10 employees), sole traders and charities with a registered address in London.

Any London resident living in one of the 32 London boroughs or the City of London with an eligible vehicle can apply to scrap a car or motorcycle, as you no longer need to receive certain benefits to apply.

Grant payments for eligible small businesses (under 50 employees), micro businesses (up to 10 employees), charities and sole traders have been increased and greater support is being provided to disabled London residents by increasing the grant payment to scrap or retrofit a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).

Charities operating in London can apply to scrap or retrofit up to 3 vans or minibuses. If they have already received a grant for one vehicle as part of this scheme, they may reapply to scrap or retrofit an additional 2 vehicles. If they received a grant through the previous scrappage scheme, they may reapply to scrap or retrofit up to 3 vehicles.

Eligible businesses and sole traders can also apply to scrap or retrofit up to 3 vans or minibuses. If they have already received a grant for one vehicle as part of this scheme, they may reapply to scrap or retrofit an additional 2 vehicles. If they received a grant through the previous scrappage scheme, they are not eligible to apply for this scheme.

The application process for the scrappage scheme is divided into two sub-schemes, based on vehicle type and applicant:

• The ULEZ car and motorcycle scrappage scheme is for London residents with cars, motorcycles and wheelchair accessible vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ emissions standards.
• The ULEZ van and minibus scrappage scheme is for sole traders, micro businesses, small businesses or charities with a registered address in London, to scrap or retrofit a van or minibus that does not meet the ULEZ emissions standards.

The application process is online, and you will need to upload evidence to prove your identity and eligibility. Further details and the application form can be found here: ultra-low emission zone scrappage schemes

Instead of replacing your vehicle, why not switch to a more sustainable mode of transport? Alongside our partners, we provide a wide range of initiatives to make it easier and safer for you to walk, cycle, use public transport and car clubs. These include:

• Free cycle training and maintenance, including 1-1, group and All Ability sessions
• Access to cycles, including the free Community Cycle Loan scheme and Try Before You Bike
• Secure cycle parking on residential streets and at stations 
• Walking initiatives 
• Car Clubs

If you need your own vehicle but would like to lower your emissions, why not consider an electric vehicle?

What are the benefits of an EV?

One of the biggest advantages of driving electric is the improvement it can make to the environment as pure electric vehicles have no tailpipe, so they don’t emit any exhaust gases.

The other main advantage of EVs is they are extremely cheap to run when compared to petrol or diesel. On average, an EV costs less than £1.50 to drive 100 miles - the average petrol equivalent, to drive the same miles, would be over £11.00.

Where can I charge an EV?

The location of public charging points currently in Waltham Forest can be found on Zap Map.

You can tell us where you would like to see more charging points in your area by completing this survey