Ulez fines soar to £438million as petrol and diesel drivers 'deliberately evade' daily charge
WATCH: 'Ulez fines worth 30k for taking ya kids to school'
TIKTOK
New research has found that just one-fifth of Ulez fines are paid on time as Transport for London loses out on hundreds of millions of pounds and drivers struggle to switch.
Since the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone to include all of Greater London in 2023, tens of thousands of drivers have repeatedly ignored fines.
Data shows that the worst offending petrol or diesel vehicle driving through the capital received 1,077 separate fines, worth a staggering total of £2.4million.
The research also found that over 105,000 vehicles have received more than five fines, while 76,000 people have received 10 or more penalty charge notices.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
Thousands of drivers have received more than five fines for breaching Ulez rules
PA/GETTY
Experts have highlighted that the data, which came from a Freedom of Information request, shows that Londoners are struggling to switch away from polluting petrol and diesel vehicles.
Since the expansion, Transport for London has issued more than 2.4 million penalties - equivalent to one every 15 seconds.
Despite this, only 20.2 per cent of fines are being paid on time, with a total value of £438million in unpaid fines for Transport for London.
Rory Brimmer, director at Turo, said the Ulez expansion had been hugely beneficial for those living in the capital, despite the cost of buying a new car being "insurmountable" for some.
He added: "While a small number may be deliberately evading the charges, others are caught between having to drive for work or family commitments and being unable to afford a newer vehicle."
People who don't pay the standard £12.50 daily charge will receive a fine. This can be discounted if they pay within 14 days, which is what almost 500,000 people have done.
Fewer than 17,000 drivers paid the full fine, with experts suggesting that this could point to financial issues for those who miss the early payment window.
Motorists who drive through Greater London can be slapped with fines if their petrol and diesel vehicles do not meet emissions standards.
Petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles must meet Euro 4 emissions, while diesel cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles must adhere to Euro 6.
Euro 4 became mandatory for all new cars in 2005 and light vans in 2006, while Euro 6 became mandatory for HGVs and buses in January 2014, while cars and light vans meet the standard if they were produced after September 2015.
If drivers of any vehicles do not pay the £12.50 daily charge, they will be hit with a penalty charge of £180, although this will be cut to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Electric vehicles remain exempt from the Ulez and Congestion Charge, although their status for the latter will change on Christmas Day later this year.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The Ulez was expanded to include Greater London in the summer of 2023
PA
Transport for London has continually warned that drivers will be fined if they do not meet emissions standards, regardless of whether they are registered in the UK or abroad.
This has caused issues with some foreign haulage companies who frequently drive into the capital but do not realise they could be fined.
You may like
