City Hall has decided to postpone the implementation of a zero-emission zone (Zez) within central London, originally slated to commence in 2025. The proposal, initially outlined in the London mayor’s 2018 transport strategy, involved the imposition of charges on all petrol and diesel vehicles entering the zone.
The expansion of the existing Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to encompass all boroughs of London was enacted on Tuesday.
City Hall has conveyed its willingness to support local councils that express interest in introducing a zero-emission zone within their respective boroughs.
The 2018 transport strategy had outlined a comprehensive plan, specifying the “implementation of zero-emission zones in town centers from 2020 and an ultimate objective of establishing a zero-emission zone in central London by 2025.”
Moreover, the strategy proposed the establishment of a zero-emission zone for inner London by 2040, subsequently expanding it to cover the entirety of London by 2050.
The strategy document elucidated, “In addition to introducing incentives and requisite infrastructure to encourage a shift to ultra-low emission vehicles, it will be crucial to utilize disincentives to gradually phase out vehicles reliant on fossil fuels.”
The envisaged zero-emission zone was anticipated to necessitate road user charges for vehicles operating within its boundaries that lacked the capacity to operate with zero-exhaust emissions, akin to the road user charges implemented in the Ulez or Lez (Low Emission Zone).
