Londoners are experiencing significantly cleaner air following the August 2023 ULEZ expansion, according to a new study from City Hall. The Ultra Low Emission Zone now covers 5 million people across the capital, marking a substantial extension of the program first introduced in 2019.

Key improvements in air quality include:

• 31% reduction in particle emissions (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts in outer London projected for 2024
• 14% decrease in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from cars and vans
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels dropped by 54% in central London, 29% in inner London, and 24% in outer London
• 15% lower emissions in outer boroughs like Sutton, Merton, Croydon, Harrow, and Bromley

The scheme has achieved significant environmental milestones:

• 36% reduction in city-wide road transport NOx emissions, saving 3,400 tonnes
• Carbon emission savings equivalent to nearly three million one-way trips between Heathrow and New York
• 80% reduction in people exposed to illegal pollution levels in deprived communities

Implementation and compliance:

• Daily charge of £12.50 for non-compliant vehicles
• 58% reduction in non-compliant vehicles (100,000 fewer) by September 2024
• £200m scrappage scheme helped remove 15,232 older vehicles
• Over 54,700 applications approved before closure in September 2024

The ULEZ expansion has shown positive results without negatively impacting local businesses, with visitor numbers increasing by almost 2% in the year following expansion. The program complements other initiatives, including the introduction of 1,900 zero-emission buses, contributing to improved air quality at 99% of monitoring sites across London.

Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasizes that while the decision to expand ULEZ wasn't taken lightly, the results prove its effectiveness in protecting public health and supporting environmental goals. London's air quality is now improving faster than the rest of England, with outer London pollution levels matching the national average.

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