London, Thanasis Gavos

The extension of the Ultra-Low Vehicle Emissions Zone (ULEZ) was put into effect today by the Mayor of London, so that the entire area of ​​Greater London is now covered.

The aim of Sadiq Khan’s measure is to improve the quality of the atmosphere in the British metropolis.

However, the opposition, residents of the affected areas and the counties bordering London argue that this is a political decision to put a financial burden on drivers by the mayor.

The measure provides that drivers of vehicles that do not meet certain environmental standards in terms of pollutant emissions, namely older vehicles, will be subject to a daily charge of £12.50 (€14.50) when entering the ULEZ zone.

The measure is estimated to affect only one in ten vehicles, as the vast majority of them meet the emission limits set by ULEZ.

The measure, originally announced by Boris Johnson when he was mayor of the city, was brought into effect by Sadiq Khan in April 2019 covering central London.

In October 2021, the first extension took place so that the ULEZ covers the areas enclosed by the (north and south) ring road of the British capital, i.e. an area in which 3.8 million people live.

The new extension now covers an area with a population of around 9 million inhabitants.

The first day of implementation of the extension was met with reactions from residents, even with vandalism of traffic cameras and road signs.