The United Kingdom became the first-ever city in the world to implement a rule – Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – that would charge old vehicles with an entree fee if they do not meet with the new rule standards.
According to ANI news reports, the ULEZ, in an attempt to reduce air pollution as well as protect public health, will be operationalized for 24 hours as well as seven days a week, a statement issued by Sadiq Khan, London mayor’s office, stated.
Motorists who drive a vehicle into the zone that doesn’t meet the new emission standards (diesel-run vehicles that don’t meet Euro 6 and petrol-run vehicles that don’t meet Euro 4 standards) will be charged with a daily charge.
Petrol-run vehicles – motorbikes, cars and vans – that don’t meet Euro 4 standards will face a charge of €12.50 a day and €100 per day for coaches, lorries and buses, according to the statement.
The transport for London has provided an online tool for drivers who can check whether their vehicle implies with the new emission standards of the zone, it added.
In the statement, Khan was quoted as saying, “Polluting vehicles account for around 50 per cent of London’s harmful Nitrogen Oxide air emissions. Air pollution has an economic cost to the capital of up to €3.7 billion every year, and €20 billion cost to the country every year.”
He added saying that the ULEZ will help “address London’s toxic air health crisis” that currently leads to thousands of premature deaths annually, and increases the risk of asthma, cancer and dementia.”
Khan stated: “This is a landmark day for our city. Our toxic air is an invisible killer responsible for one of the biggest national health emergencies of our generation. I simply refuse to be yet another politician who ignores it.”
He termed the development as the “boldest plans of any city on the planet” and calls it as a “centrepiece” battling air pollution,