Key information
Request reference number: MGLA280723-2988
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
- What are the pollution measurements of London Vs other world cities in 2023?
- Please provide quantitative and qualitative data to justify ULEZ expansion for outer London.
- How come a Range Rover is exempt from ULEZ?
Our response
- What are the pollution measurements of London Vs other world cities in 2023?
The GLA regularly reports on air quality trends in London. This reporting uses data from the city’s air quality monitoring network to analyse the long term trends in pollution concentrations. The most recent modelling is the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) 2019. You can access the data on the London Datastore: London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) 2019 - London Datastore
The dataset includes modelled ground level concentrations of annual mean NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 in µg/m3 (microgramme per cubic metre) at 20m grid resolution.
The GLA does not hold data on pollution measurements in other world cities.
- Please provide quantitative and qualitative data to justify ULEZ expansion for outer London.
Following a public consultation that ran from 20 May to 29 July 2022, the Mayor decided to expand the ULEZ London-wide from 29 August 2023.
The Mayor made this decision after taking into account a detailed consultation report and integrated impact assessment. The Mayor has been clear that this was not an easy decision but a necessary one, due to the impact of air pollution on people’s health. The Mayor’s decision (including the rationale for the decision), the information he considered, and supporting documentation can be found on the GLA website: MD3060 London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Scheme | London City Hall
- How come a Range Rover is exempt from ULEZ?
As set out on the TfL website, vehicles must meet the required Euro emissions standard for the relevant vehicle and emission type. The ULEZ standards are: Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category), Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles and Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles. Vehicles that meet these standards do not need to pay the daily ULEZ charge to drive within the zone.
The ULEZ standards are not based on engine size but instead specifically target the air pollutants which are most harmful to human health: nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). These are regulated by the Euro engine standards which are the standards the ULEZ is based on. To meet the emission levels mandated by the Euro standards, modern engine emissions are controlled by different types of after-treatment systems, including particulate filters and catalytic convertors. These are the true determinants of NOx and PM tailpipe emissions, not the engine size. The implementation of progressive Euro standards is why newer vehicles are much less polluting than older vehicles.