The introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone has dramatically cut the number of older, more polluting vehicles entering central London, with latest figures showing more than a third fewer non-compliant vehicles are now entering the zone.
The figures, revealed in a new City Hall report, show that 23,054 non-compliant vehicles were detected on average per day in July 2019 – down more than 12,500 or 35% on the figure of 35,578 in March 2019 prior to the 8th April introduction of the zone.
The latest report – which follows the publication of figures one month after the zone went live – also found that over the first four months of ULEZ operation, there was a 30% decrease in the proportion of vehicles in the central zone that were non-compliant.
Meanwhile, 75% of vehicles in the zone over the period met the ULEZ standards 24/7, compared to 74% in the one-month report.
The report also shows a major improvement in vehicle compliance rates since February 2017, which was when the Mayor confirmed the Toxicity Charge (‘T-Charge’) would go live in October 2017 as the forerunner to the ULEZ.
The proportion of compliant vehicles in the central zones has increased 85% from February 2017 to July 2019 (excluding non-typical days) during Congestion Charging hours.
And the number of non-compliant vehicles detected in the zone from February 2017 to July 2019 during Congestion Charging hours is actually down 63%, equating to a reduction of 39,256 vehicles on an average day.
Although the ULEZ remains contentious with some businesses and drivers, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said the new figures prove that the zone continues to have a significant impact on air quality. He added: “It is highly encouraging to see that so many motorists and businesses are helping reduce pollution by driving cleaner vehicles into the zone.”
