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Prepare to pay £168 a week for driving your older van into London

  • Pre-Euro 6 diesel vans set for central London levy
  • Proposed charge expected to come into effect in 2019
  • All part of Mayor’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Written by James Dennison Published: 3 November 2017

Drivers of vans with pre-Euro 6 diesel engines will be charged £12.50 a day (on top of the existing £11.50 Congestion Charge) to enter Central London under new proposals from London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The plans, which are expected to go ahead in 2019, will see the vast majority of pre-2015 vans penalised in the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – an area which is set to be expanded to greater London in 2021.

Click here to see how the T-Charge will affect car drivers

Meanwhile, the recently introduced T-Charge has hit motorists who drive in central London from, adding a £10 levy for the most polluting vehicles. It will then be replaced by the ULEZ in 2019. 

Who exactly will be affected?

Anyone who drives a vehicle without at least a Euro 6 compliant diesel engine (or Euro 4 petrol engine) into the central London congestion charging zone from Monday 8 April 2019. This is the date from which the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will come into effect, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Find out how the T-Charge and ULEZ will affect car drivers

Then from 2021, the ULEZ is expected to be extended, covering everything within the North and South Circular roads. Drivers who enter the zone in non-compliant vehicles will be liable for the £12.50 charge.

What is the T-Charge?

So long as your van is fitted with a Euro 4 standard engine or better (found in almost all cars and vans registered after 2006), you don’t need to worry about it. If it is not, then you’ll likely fall foul of the T-Charge – or toxicity charge.

How to beat the £25 London ULEZ charge – change your diesel now

Vehicles which aren’t Euro 4 compliant are being charged £10 a day to enter the Congestion Charge Zone – on top of the original £11.50 fee. Unlike the ULEZ however, the T-Charge is enforced Monday to Friday 7am-6pm.

Will my vehicle be affected?

Transport for London has provided an online vehicle checker to help drivers find out if their vehicle will comply with the relevant regulations.

Click here to find out if your vehicle will be chargeable in the T-Charge zone, commencing October 2017.

Click here to find out if your vehicle will be chargeable in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), commencing April 2019.

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