The ULEZ is expanding...
The Ultra-Low Emission Zone is expanding on October the 25th and it might mean you have to pay more to drive in London. Don’t panic, we’ve put together a detailed overview of exactly what’s going on, who it affects and how you might actually benefit from it! Read to the bottom to find out more about a special discount we’re running for anyone who is affected.
What is the ULEZ?
You might have heard the acronym bounced around conversations or in the news over the last few years but be wondering what it actually means. The ULEZ is a designated area that has tight restrictions on emission standards. Vehicles that don’t meet the standards have to pay a charge to enter the zone. ULEZ has been in operation since March 2018 and currently covers the same area as the congestion zone but it is expanding. It operates 24/7 and is enforced every day except Christmas day via cameras with number plate recognition monitoring who is entering. Whilst the ULEZ is primarily targeted at improving air quality in London, it is another step on the journey to removing personal cars within cities.
"If driving a non-compliant car...you will need to pay £12.50 to enter the zone"
How much is the ULEZ Charge?
The question on everyone’s lips is of course, cost. If driving a non-compliant car, motorcycle or van then you will need to pay £12.50 to enter the zone. If you’re driving something bigger for instance a Lorry or Coach then you will need to pay £100. Payment must be made by midnight on the next working day after the day of travel. The everyday person who has a non-compliant vehicle could now be looking at £24.50 if they wanted to drive into central London.
Who is affected?
Are you wondering whether your current vehicle is one of the dreaded non-compliant vehicles? It is predicted that 350,000 people who currently drive into the zone will have non-compliant vehicles. The vehicles mainly affected at the moment are old or diesel. To check you can use the TfL’s handy tool
But, don’t rest on your laurels, your vehicle might be compliant right now but if there is one thing that we have learnt it’s that the war on personal cars is only just getting started; don’t get caught out. The announcement of the expansion has of course meant people with non-compliant cars are rushing to sell their vehicles. Unsurprisingly, there is little demand for these types of vehicles and so it’s a struggle to get rid of them and losses are being made. Don’t let this be you in a few years when your car is no longer compliant!
"your vehicle might be compliant right now but if there is one thing that we have learnt it’s that the war on personal cars is only just getting started"
Why is the ULEZ being expanded?
You might be thinking, why? The last thing you need is another charge and London is already expensive enough. The role of ULEZ is important. London has a serious issue with air quality exceeding the world health organisations recommended levels for toxic air. It is said that over 2 million Londoners are living with illegal levels of toxic air with half of the emissions come from road traffic. Clearly, we need to remove the number of cars we have on the road and we need to do it sooner rather than later.
There is also the need to reduce the amount of traffic in the capital. When introduced The congestion charge led to a 30% reduction in traffic. The ULEZ is expected to reduced congestion by 5%. The hope is that this charge will send a message that the days of cars in cities are numbered!
What are your alternatives?
You might be wondering, what can I do. The good news is that there are several options! Firstly, if you want to give up your old car, as it is no longer compliant, you can benefit from a series of scrappage schemes on the TFL website. Secondly, you may find that using public transport actually works out cheaper and more efficiently than owning. Finally, for those car needs, there are several car clubs and car rental companies that you can utilise. Car sharing companies and micro-mobility solutions are perfect for when you need a car for just a few hours to run some errands and if you need a car to escape the city for a few days then you can always rely on us at Virtuo.
What are we doing?
The good news is that at Virtuo all our cars are ULEZ compliant. We support the expansion of the ULEZ and think it is an important step to free our cities from personal cars. We are on a mission to create an on-demand service that goes way beyond owning. We want to take cars off the streets and put them in pockets; freeing up space for parks, housing and space. Together, we can create a future where we can enjoy all the benefits and freedoms of driving without the burden on the planet. Read more about what we’re doing to build this car future.
A little something to help…
If you or a friend is looking for a car solution now that they have had to give up their car that is no longer compliant then we’ve got you. We have a special promo code that will give you £20 off yours or a friend’s first rental. Just use the code ULEZ20 before 25/11/21 to benefit.
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