Saying Bye to High Emissions

Welcome to the United Kingdom (UK)! London, the biggest city in the UK and one of the most metropolitan cities in the world, combats climate change with the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) — a daily charge for diesel cars and other vehicles that do not meet specific emission standards. The London ULEZ was introduced in April 2019 by Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London to discourage drivers of high-polluting vehicles from using roads in central London. Furthermore, the ULEZ tax is a 12.50 pounds tax paid every single day for cars dated older than 2015 as they don’t correspond with the London sustainability standards. 

There are two contrasting sides to the effects of the ULEZ tax: one on the city and the other on the individuals living there. The tax is heavily beneficial to reducing carbon emissions on a city scale, yet this tax negatively affects Londoners individually. Research in 2020 found the daily charge has helped to reduce roadside nitrogen dioxide levels by 44%. Yet, on an individual scale, there have been many complaints about the adverse effects of the ULEZ tax on Londoners’ daily lives. 

Trushil Patel, a Londoner for 24+ years, says: “I was driving a Volkswagen Golf 2014 diesel, which didn’t meet the ULEZ standards, so I had to pay the ULEZ tax. It became apparent that it wasn’t sustainable, so I had to sell my car substantially lower than I could have sold it for if it hadn’t been for ULEZ. I then had to use that money and the more I had saved to buy a car compliant with the regulations. I sold my car for £7400. I bought my new car for £12,500. I had to top up an extra £5,100. In the long term, buying a newer car is the best way to save money and is more cost-effective; however, in a time where there is a cost of living crisis, many people within my area have struggled to buy a new car or being able to pay the ULEZ charge. This has resulted in them finding other means of transport, which comes at an inconvenience. For example, getting to the nearest train station is a 40-minute walk.” 

In conclusion, the tax is an excellent deterrent to using diesel cars and other vehicles that do not meet emission standards, helping the city of London emit less carbon emissions. The tax has helped the city of London reduce its roadside nitrogen dioxide by almost 50% in the past year, and on a mass city scale, the tax is beneficial. Yet, on an individual scale, during the current cost-of-living crisis in London, the ULEZ does more harm than benefit Londoners.