London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that plans to introduce a zero-emission zone (ZEZ) in the city center have been shelved following the recent expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The ZEZ would have operated similarly to the ULEZ, charging motorists a daily toll for driving a pure-petrol or pure-diesel car into the zone. However, Khan’s decision leaves the door open for parallel hybrids and plug-in hybrids capable of running in electric-only mode.
The transport strategy, originally published in 2018, stated that a zero-emission zone would likely require vehicles that are not capable of operating with zero exhaust emissions to pay road user charges, similar to those in the ULEZ or Low Emission Zone (LEZ). This means that vehicles such as parallel hybrids and plug-in hybrids, which have varying degrees of electric-only capability, would not be subject to the charges.
Toyota, for example, claims that its hybrid systems are zero-emission for 80% of the time and 50% of the distance. However, this claim has been disputed by Brussels-based pressure group Transport & Environment. Ralph Palmer, electric vehicles officer at T&E UK, stated that trying to pretend that standard hybrids have significant zero-emission capability is “just silly.” On the other hand, many new plug-in hybrid models now offer a real-world electric range of more than 15 miles.
While plans for a ZEZ have been shelved at City Hall, London boroughs still have the authority to introduce such measures at a local level. A spokesperson for Khan confirmed that Transport for London continues to support boroughs who wish to implement zero-emission zones. This means that individual boroughs can take action to reduce emissions and improve air quality in their specific areas.
A ZEZ was previously trialed along Beech Street, next to the Barbican Centre, from March 2020 to September 2021. The trial aimed to collect data and assess the impact of a zero-emission zone on traffic and air quality. However, in July, the City of London Corporation decided not to renew the Beech Street ZEZ after a divided response from the public. According to the corporation’s report, 51% of survey respondents were in favor of renewing the zone, while 49% were against it. Those who opposed the renewal believed that the zone did not do enough to reduce traffic or improve air quality.
Although the ZEZ plans have been put on hold, the need to phase out fossil fuels altogether is still recognized. Khan’s transport strategy stated that it would be necessary to use disincentives to achieve this goal. While the ULEZ has already made a significant impact on reducing emissions in central London, further measures may be needed in the future to ensure cleaner air for all residents.
In conclusion, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has decided not to introduce a zero-emission zone in the city center following the expansion of the ULEZ. However, individual boroughs still have the power to implement their own zero-emission zones if they choose to do so. The decision to shelve the ZEZ plans reflects a divided response from the public and highlights the challenges of balancing environmental goals with the needs and opinions of local communities. As London continues its efforts to improve air quality and reduce emissions, it will be interesting to see how these initiatives evolve in the future.