A report has been published providing analysis of air pollutant emissions and concentrations, vehicle compliance and economic impact across the first year of London’s expanded Ultra Low Emissions Zone.
Specifically in terms of the ULEZ expansion, the last 12 months has seen roadside NO2 concentrations in outer London – the area newly incorporated into the scheme – at levels that are up to 4.8% lower than would have been expected without the expansion.
In terms of emissions, NOx emissions from cars and vans fell by 13% and 16% respectively, while PM2.5 emissions in the area fell by around 31%
Since the original ULEZ was introduced in 2019, the report has found that, compared to a scenario without the ULEZ
- NOX emissions are estimated to be 24% lower.
- PM2.5 exhaust emissions are estimated to be 29% lower.
- CO2 emissions are estimated to be 2% lower
As of September last year, 96.7% of all vehicles across the whole of London were seen to be ULEZ compliant. 15 months earlier this figure was 91.6%. When the first Low Emission Zone was established, the figure was 39%.
15 months ago outer London had a compliance rate of 90.9%, it is now 96.7%, with nearly 100,000 fewer non-compliant vehicles detected on an average day in September 2024 compared to June 2023.
Economically, visitor footfall in outer London was seen to increase 1.87% following the expansion and the 3.17% fall in spending in the area should be compared with the spending fall of 3.36% that was seen across the rest of England.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘The decision to expand the ULEZ was not something I took lightly, but this report shows it was the right one for the health of all Londoners. It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children’s lung growth, and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution.
‘With boroughs in outer London seeing some of the biggest reductions in harmful emissions and London’s deprived communities also seeing greater benefits, this report shows why expanding ULEZ London-wide was so important. ’
Dr Gary Fuller, Imperial College London, and Chair of the ULEZ Advisory Group ,added: ‘Each phase of the ULEZ has led to clear improvements in the air pollution next to London’s roads. This is good news for the current and future health of Londoners, as well as those who travel to London for work or leisure.
‘The analysis in this report benefited from an international advisory group of scientists, all with experience in assessing the impacts of urban clean air policies. We worked with the Mayor’s team to stress-test key parts of the analysis and concluded that the core methodology used in this report, and in previous ULEZ reports, was appropriate and robust. The ULEZ is one of over 300 such schemes across the UK and Europe, and many cities are looking to London’s ULEZ results to inform their own plan.’
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell said: ‘The Clean Air Zone should have been London wide from the start. I’m glad the Mayor listened and Londoners are finally breathing cleaner air.
‘The success of the ULEZ is testimony to the many campaigners who pushed and pushed for action, so that Londoners can trust the air they breathe.
‘But the work is far from over. Congestion is still a huge issue and more needs to be done to give people the confidence to ditch their cars for good..
The full report can be read here.