Key information
Request reference number: MGLA080823-3880
Date of response:
Summary of request
You request
I am interested to know why there has been no mention of buses, council vehicles or
ambulances, just cars whenever the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is mentioned.
I know owners of cars and vans and will have to pay and that buses are compliant, but who pays the fee for all the other vehicles that are not compliant. I presume it will have to come out of Council Tax or Transport for London (TfL) charges or will they be exempt?
Our response
Any vehicle that is not compliant with the ULEZ standards and does not qualify for a relevant discount or exemption will be subject to the daily £12.50 charge. This will be paid by the registered owner(s) of the vehicle.
Ambulances
With regards to ambulances, in line with national guidance on Clean Air Zones, the Mayor
supports some flexibility and recognises that, unlike for most fleets, it is difficult to replace
emergency vehicles in order to achieve compliance with the relevant emission standards as they are specialist and adapted vehicles.
Based on this criteria, any non-compliant emergency service vehicles have been granted temporary exemptions on a case-by-case basis, agreed via Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between TfL and the relevant organisation.
These MoUs have been agreed between TfL and a number of organisations for the ULEZ, which was expanded London-wide on 29 August 2023.
Updated MoUs have now been agreed between TfL and emergency service providers, including ambulance services, for the London-wide ULEZ.
Please note that the documents currently listed may only be relevant to the previous ULEZ scheme (for central and inner London).
Council-owned vehicles
TfL and the GLA engaged with all London councils in the lead up to the London-wide ULEZ
expansion. However, we do not hold information on their fleets and suggest that you contact each council directly for more information.
Buses
As you have noted, since 2021 all of TfL’s buses have met or exceeded the latest Euro VI emissions standards, meaning they are compliant with the ULEZ standards.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting
reference MGLA080823-3880.