The Low Emission Zone – cleaner air for Greater London

London’s Low Emission Zone was first introduced back in 2008, as a measure to tackle capital city’s terrible air pollution record, which has historically seen it labelled one of the most polluted cities in Europe. The first scheme of its kind in the UK, the zones are designed to deter large and heavily polluting vehicles such as diesel-engined lorries, buses and coaches away from the city centre by penalising them, helping to reduce air pollution in the worst affected places.

What is the London Low Emission Zone?

The Low Emission Zone is specific area in London in which certain high-polluting vehicles are eligible to pay a fee to be able to drive through it. This charge currently stands at £200 a day for lorries, buses and coaches, and £100 for heavy vans and minibuses, which do not meet the emissions standards.

The emissions standards are based on European standards which limit exhaust emissions for new vehicles manufactured in European Union (EU) member states:

- From 7 July 2008, a standard of Euro III for particulate matter (PM) for diesel-engined lorries over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight. Lorries, buses and coaches first registered as new on or after 1 October 2001 are assumed to be Euro III.

- From 3 January 2012, a standard of Euro III diesel-engined large vans between 1.205 tonnes (unladen) and 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight and minibuses under 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats. Large vans and minibuses first registered as new on or after 1 January 2002 are assumed to be Euro III.

- From 3 January 2012 the emissions standards will be tightened to Euro IV for PM for diesel-engined lorries between over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes. Vehicles first registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 are assumed to be Euro IV.

Older vehicles will not meet the emissions standards unless they have been modified (e.g. through the fitting of pollution abatement equipment).

Vehicles affected by the LEZ regulations include older diesel-engined lorries, buses, coaches, large vans, minibuses and other heavy vehicles that are derived from lorries and vans, such as motor caravans and motorised horse boxes. The LEZ first came into force on 4 February 2008 and applied to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes with more than eight seats, plus the driver’s seat.

Different vehicles will be affected over time and tougher emissions standards to be introduced in January 2012.

Which vehicles will the LEZ apply to?

The Low Emission Zone applies to:

• From 4 February 2008 to all diesel engined lorries over 12 tonnes;
• From 7 July 2008 to all diesel engined lorries over 3.5 tonnes and buses and coaches over 5 tonnes gross weight with more than 9 seats
• From 3 January 2012 all diesel engined large vans over 1.205 tonnes unladen and 3.5 tonnes gross weight and minibuses under 5 tonnes with more than 9 seats.

All of these vehicles, including goods vehicles, motorcaravans, motorised horseboxes, and other specialist vehicles, will have to comply with an emission standard of Euro III for particulate matter in order to operate within the LEZ without charge. From January 2012 the emissions standards will be tightened to Euro IV for PM for lorries, buses and coaches only.

Lorries, buses and coaches first registered as new on or after 1st October 2001 are deemed to be Euro III compliant and so will meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2008. Large vans and minibuses first registered as new on or after 1 January 2002 are deemed to be Euro III compliant and so will meet the LEZ emissions standards in 2012.

The London Mayor has confirmed the Low Emission zone will now affect larger vans, minibuses, motor caravans and other specialist vehicles from 3 January 2012.
Find out more.

Complying with the LEZ emission regulations to avoid the charge

If your vehicle is not listed on Transport for London’s (TfL) database as compliant with the emissions standards, there are a number of options available to you to avoid paying the charges to drive within the LEZ area.

Transport for London (TfL) has the following suggestions to avoid paying charges:

Reorganise your fleet
Plan ahead so that only vehicles which meet the LEZ emissions standards are used within the zone.
Replace your vehicle
Use a newer vehicle which meets the LEZ emissions standards.
Fit abatement equipment
It may be possible to fit pollution abatement equipment. All modifications will need to be certified by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) or an equivalent authorised body if your vehicle is registered outside of Great Britain for more information visit the TfL website.
Re-engine your vehicle
You may choose to replace the engine in your vehicle with a more recent model. If you re-engine your vehicle you need to register with Transport for London.
Convert to gas
You may choose to convert your vehicle to run on pure gas using an approved conversion. For GB operators, pure gas conversions should be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and must be certified by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
It should be noted that vehicles with conversion to other fuels or that run on bio diesel are not deemed to meet the required LEZ emissions standards.
Check for discounts and exemptions
Register with TfL if your vehicle is eligible for either a discount or an exemption. To check if your vehicle qualifies discounts and exemptions, see TfL’s website.

Where does the LEZ operate?

Most of Greater London is affected. The M25 motorway is not included in the LEZ. All public roads, including certain motorways within the boundary (except the M25), are affected by the LEZ. The following motorways are also included: