Ultra Low Emission Zone
Information on the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), including how your vehicle must meet emissions standards or pay a charge to travel within Islington.
Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
Air pollution is not just a central London problem with many areas exceeding the legal limits for pollution across the city. The Ultra Low Emission Zone has expanded on 25 October 2021. The zone forms a single larger zone bounded by the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves aren’t included in the zone. The zone now includes the entire borough of Islington.
The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends (except Christmas day), with a £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that don’t meet the required emissions standards.
Cars, motorcycles, vans and other specialist vehicles (up to and including 3.5 tonnes) and minibuses (up to and including 5 tonnes) need to meet the required ULEZ emissions standards when driving within and into the expanded zone, or pay a daily charge.
Non-ULEZ-compliant vehicles which are parked and out of use on a given day from 25 October 2021 aren’t required to pay the daily charge.
Check your vehicle
If you drive in Islington check if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant.
Additional ULEZ information
All relevant details including ULEZ standards, discounts, exemptions, penalties and enforcement can be found on Transport for London (TfL) website.
The report evaluating the impact of the newly expanded scheme shows that the scheme has been highly effective at driving reductions in the number of older, more polluting vehicles on London’s roads. Full report available here.
Travelling greener
The Council continues to promote and support sustainable and active travel such as walking, cycling and using public transport over the use of a private vehicle.
We currently offer a number of schemes and initiatives to give residents alternatives to using their cars for transport:
- Installing cycle storage facilities both on streets and estates and supporting bike sharing schemes
- Improving cycle routes
- Supporting bike sharing schemes
Supporting cyclists
Greener cars
Promoting clean air walking routes
Working with businesses through our award winning Zero Emissions Network (ZEN)
For more information please visit the TFL website.
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV (joint project with Hackney Council))
A ULEV zone is now in operation in an area close to Old Street station.
The three streets in Islington affected are Tabernacle Street, Cowper Street and Singer Street. These streets have additional, timed restrictions for most vehicles, between 7-10am and 4-7pm, Monday to Friday. Access will is restricted to ULEVs - vehicles that emit less than 75g/km CO2. This includes all (100%) electric and hydrogen vehicles and some of the ‘cleanest’, least polluting, hybrid vehicles.
Find out how the area is enforced and about exemptions to the scheme.