Changes to LEZ emissions standards from 2021
Tougher LEZ emissions standards will come into force from 1 March 2021. This was postponed to give affected businesses time to meet the new standards as they face intense demands from the coronavirus pandemic.
Heavy vehicles including lorries, buses, coaches and specialist vehicles will need to meet Euro VI (NOx and PM) emissions standards or pay a daily charge to drive within the Greater London area.
HGVs, heavy vans, buses/minibuses and coaches
- Lorry, heavy van or specialist heavy vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
- Bus/minibus or coach over 5 tonnes
Current standard: Euro IV – particulate matter (PM)
New standard: Euro VI – nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). This is the same as the ULEZ standard – these vehicles will no longer need to pay a separate ULEZ charge
Vans, minibuses and specialist diesel vehicles
- Van or specialist diesel vehicle from 1.205 tonnes unladen weight up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
- Minibus up to 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight
Current standard: Euro 3 (PM)
New standard: No change – continue to pay the daily LEZ charge if your vehicle does not meet Euro 3 for PM
You can still check if your vehicle meets the current standards.
Daily charges under the tougher standards
We would prefer that your vehicle meets the tougher LEZ emissions standards, so you don’t need to pay the daily LEZ charge.
If you drive a HGV, lorry, van or other specialist heavy vehicle over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight or a bus/minibus or coach over 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight within the LEZ and it does not meet Euro VI (NOx and PM), you will need to pay the daily LEZ charge.
If your vehicle:
- Meets Euro IV or V (PM) – you will need to pay a daily charge of £100
- Does not meet Euro IV (PM) – you will need to pay a daily charge of £300