As the one-year anniversary of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion approaches, new research conducted by PEUGEOT UK has found that Low Emission Zones, Clean Air Zones and Zero Emission Zones in the UK have now generated more than £1 billion in fees and penalty charges since April 2019.
Income generated by UK clean air initiatives. Chart: Peugeot UK
Based on Freedom of Information requests, 10 zones across the UK were found to have generated £1,044,381,971 in income from motorists since April 2019* (Bristol City Council withheld data on the Bristol Clean Air Zone as it plans to publish this information before the end of the calendar year).
Since the expansion of the London Ultra Low Emission Zone on 29th August 2023, Transport for London has accumulated more than £226 million in fees and fines. The London ULEZ is now the largest clean air zone in the world, according to Transport for London, and has been expanded to include all 32 boroughs of the city.
There are currently 13 Low Emission Zones, Clean Air Zones or Zero Emission Zones across the UK, including the London ULEZ. Nine of these zones charge non-compliant vehicles an entry fee, with Penalty Charge Notices issued to drivers who fail to pay the daily charge.
The London ULEZ issued the majority of fees and fines, accounting for £875 million of income generated between April 2019 (when the 24-hour ULEZ was first introduced) and June 2024. By law, all net revenue generated by the ULEZ must be reinvested back into London’s transport network***. From research collected by PEUGEOT last year, the London ULEZ claimed a total of £319,822,943 off drivers between October 2021 (when the ULEZ was expanded to cover the area up to the North and South Circular roads) and March 2023, through fees and Penalty Charge Notices.
Annual cost for motorists entering the zone in non-compliant vehicles on a daily basis. Chart: Peugeot UK
The Low Emission Zones across the UK have different criteria for charging vehicle entry. London’s ULEZ requires all diesel cars and vans to meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards, and petrol models to meet Euro 4 standards. Whereas private cars entering the Bath Clean Air Zone are currently exempt from a charge, vans, HGVs and private hire vehicles not meeting the required standards are subject to charges.
In Scotland, Low Emission Zones in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh place a ban on vehicles that do not meet the emissions requirements, with no option to pay an entry fee to the zone. Enforcement of the Glasgow Low Emission Zone came into force in June 2023, with £1,200,815 generated through Penalty Charge Notices. The Transport Act 2000 requires local authorities in England to re-invest any surplus revenue from Clean Air Zones (above operational costs) into the delivery of local transport policies****.
Eurig Druce, Managing Director, PEUGEOT UK, said: “As Low Emission Zones continue to expand across the UK, it is clear that the future of urban mobility lies in cleaner, more sustainable transportation. PEUGEOT is committed to supporting this transition by offering the widest all-electric vehicle line-up of any mainstream European brand, including the new E-5008 and E-3008. To mark one year since the ULEZ expansion, we have also enhanced offers on our electric vehicles, including up to an additional £900 saving for key workers – helping drivers avoid costly ULEZ charges but also playing a vital role in reducing air pollution in our cities.”
Other local authorities with Clean Air Zones on non-conforming vehicles. Chart: Peugeot UK
