Main takeaway:
To avoid the £12.50/day ULEZ charge in Greater London, petrol cars must meet at least Euro 4 emissions (typically registered from January 2006), and diesel cars must meet Euro 6 emissions (typically registered from September 2015).
Electric vehicles, hybrids meeting those standards, motorcycles meeting Euro 3, and certain exempt vehicles incur no charge.
1. ULEZ
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges non-compliant vehicles that drive within its boundary—now all London boroughs inside the M25—£12.50 per day, 24/7 except Christmas Day. Introduced April 2019, and expanded fully in August 2023, ULEZ aims to improve air quality by discouraging high-polluting vehicles.
2. Emission Standards for Compliance
| Vehicle type | Required Euro standard | Typical first registration date |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol cars & vans | Euro 4 (NOₓ ≤ 0.08 g/km) | From 1 Jan 2006 |
| Diesel cars & vans | Euro 6 (NOₓ ≤ 0.08 g/km; PM ≤ 0.005 g/km) | From 1 Sept 2015 |
| Hybrid petrol cars & vans | Euro 4 | After 2006 |
| Hybrid diesel cars & vans | Euro 6 | After 2015 |
| Battery-electric vehicles | Always compliant | N/A |
| Motorcycles & mopeds | Euro 3 | From 1 Jan 2001 |
| Petrol vehicles meeting Euro 5/6 | Compliant | |
| Diesel-hybrid and pure diesel | Must meet Euro 6 |
3. How to Check Your Vehicle
- TfL ULEZ Vehicle Checker
Enter your registration on TfL’s official site for instant compliance results (including classic-car queries). - GOV.UK Clean Air Zone Checker
Use the “Driving in a clean air zone” service to verify London ULEZ status. - DVLA Vehicle Enquiry
If Euro standard isn’t on your V5C logbook, use the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry by registration date and cross-reference Euro standards.
4. Exemptions & Special Cases
- Historic vehicles (built before 1 Jan 1973) with historic tax class.
- Specialist vehicles (tractors, military, agricultural machinery) may be exempt.
- Residents’ discounts and NHS reimbursements apply in limited circumstances.
- Electric taxis and certain wheelchair-accessible vehicles follow separate schemes.
Always verify exemptions on TfL’s website before travel.
5. Tips to Avoid Charges
- Upgrade or Retrofit:
- Fit a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to meet Euro 6 for diesel.
- Choose synthetic fuels or low-NOₓ catalysts for older vehicles.
- Plan Routes:
- Avoid entering ULEZ boundaries by routing around outer boroughs.
- Consider Alternatives:
- Switch to public transport, e-bikes, car clubs, or compliant hire vehicles.
6. Staying Informed
ULEZ boundaries and rules can change. Check TfL’s “Where and when” map and subscribe to updates to ensure ongoing compliance.
Conclusion:
To determine whether your car is ULEZ-compliant, confirm it meets the above Euro standards via the TfL checker or GOV.UK services. Non-compliant vehicles incur a daily £12.50 charge, so verifying before travel can save significant costs and help London breathe cleaner air.
