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London Pushes its Ultra-Low Emission Zone to City Limits

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced an expansion of smog-fighting vehicle fees across all of Greater London in a bid to fight air pollution and traffic congestion. 

Poor quality in London remains a serious public health concern, especially in outer boroughs not covered by current emissions rules on vehicles.  

Poor quality in London remains a serious public health concern, especially in outer boroughs not covered by current emissions rules on vehicles.  

Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Next year, anyone who wants to drive a more-polluting older vehicle anywhere in Greater London will have to pay a 12.50 pound ($16.70) daily charge to do it. 

So said London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan in a speech announcing the latest — and perhaps final — expansion of the city’s Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on motor vehicles in the British capital. Designed to encourage Londoners to scrap aging vehicles with higher tailpipe emissions, the fee will be levied on any gas-powered car or small truck made before 2005 (Euro 4 Standard) and any diesel car or small truck manufactured before 2014 (Euro 6 standard). The city estimates that could equal 135,000 vehicles on an average day.