Are electric cars exempt from London’s ULEZ charges?

LONDON’S Ultra Low Emission Zone has now expanded, meaning more motorists could be smacked with £12.50 fee or face a fine.

However, the charges only apply to people driving non-compliant, older cars, which are considered to be more polluting. Here we detail which cars, vehicles and individuals are exempt.

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Are electric cars exempt from ULEZ charges?

All electric cars are exempt from the ULEZ charge.

This includes every mainstream EV of any age, plus any vehicle that has been properly converted and registered as a battery car. 

Motorists are being encouraged to adopt electric cars instead of petrol or diesel models, especially if they frequently drive in urban areas. 

What vehicles are exempt from the charges?

In order to be exempt from charges, any petrol fulled cars must meet Euro 4 emission standards, which were introduced in 2006 for normal cars.

Generally speaking, that means that petrol cars first registered in 2005 or later will be eligible to travel in the ULEZ zone without the £12.50 charge.

Diesel cars, meanwhile, must meet more stringent Euro 6 standards, which were introduced later.

That means that most diesel cars first registered in 2015 will be able to travel in the ULEZ without the £12.50 charge. 

Petrol or diesel cars first registered before these dates may not be compliant and could fall foul of the new strict rules. 

Motorcycles must meet Euro 3 emissions standards, which were made mandatory in 2007. Scooters, mopeds and motorbikes registered before then may fall foul of ULEZ rules.

And motorists driving cars, vans, motorbikes or mopeds registered after these dates should still check ULEZ compliance on the TfL website to be sure. 

The ‘Euro’ standard applicable to your vehicle may be written on the V5 document. 

Other exemptions include:

• Vehicles with a historic tax class

• Military vehicles
• Some farm vehicles
• Circus vehicles

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What other exceptions to ULEZ are there?

Some local residents and keepers of vehicles in a “disabled” tax class will be able to apply for discounts and temporary grace periods.

Blue badge holders still need to pay the charge if their vehicle falls outside the ULEZ emissions standards. 

London-licenced taxis up to 15 years old are exempt.

Minicabs with wheelchair access have a grace period until October 26, 2025, provided they are being used to carry out a private hire booking. 

Some specialist farm vehicles, tanks, and diggers may also be exempt, as are certain showman’s vehicles. 

If you drive a minibus for a charity or school – excluding private schools – you can register for a limited grace period until October 29, 2023.

One in three Brits has inhaled toxic air in the country’s busy city centres, it has emerged