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EIR - Number of vehicles affected by ULEZ [Aug 2023]

Key information

Request reference number: MGLA160823-4355

Date of response:

Summary of request

Your request

All calculations as to how you arrived at the number of vehicles affected by the ULEZ as I believe it will affect far more than the numbers you provided.

Our response

This information is publicly available. 

Transport for London (TfL) estimates that 9 in 10 cars seen driving in outer London on an 
average day meet the ULEZ standards. This figure includes all vehicles seen driving in the zone, regardless of where they are registered.

More information about how TfL measures compliance is available on its website.

The evidence base and expected outcomes and impacts of the proposals to expand the ULEZ London-wide were set out in the key consultation documents, which are available on TfL’s consultation page.

The most relevant document is titled ‘Our proposals to help improve air quality tackle the 
climate emergency and reduce congestion by expanding the ULEZ London-wide and other 
measures’.

Section 6 of this document sets out the expected impacts of the London-wide ULEZ 
on the numbers and proportions of non-compliant cars and vans. Appendix B of this document provides more detail on the method used to calculate these estimates.

The Mayor decided to expand the ULEZ following a public consultation and after taking into account a detailed consultation report and integrated impact assessment.

The consultation report that explains the analysis process and sets out the themes raised during the consultation is available for everyone to read on the GLA and Transport for London (TfL) websites.

The Mayor understands that some people have concerns about the scheme, and listened to the feedback provided in the consultation. This shaped the final scheme and the support available. 

To help people prepare, he has funded a £160m scrappage scheme for Londoners, sole traders, businesses fewer than 50 employees, and charities. Every Londoner with an eligible non-compliant car or motorcycle can now apply for the scrappage scheme.

Most scrappage companies also pay for the vehicle on top of the ULEZ scrappage scheme. There are also a number of temporary exemptions for disabled people and a reimbursement scheme for vulnerable NHS patients travelling to hospital appointments.

Monitoring reports show that the previous iterations of the ULEZ have had a significant impact. Harmful NO2 concentrations alongside roads have reduced more than original predicted and are estimated to be 46 per cent lower in central London and 21 per cent lower in inner London than they would have been without the ULEZ and its expansion.

You can read more about the impacts of the ULEZ in the most recent monitoring report.

The ULEZ is one of many policies the Mayor and TfL are delivering to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency. A greener transport network, retrofitting homes, more electric vehicle infrastructure, the growth of walking and cycling and investment in green finance and industries will all contribute toward cleaning up London’s air and achieving the Mayor’s target of net zero carbon by 2030.

If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting 
reference MGLA160823-4355.

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