Can you drive an electric van in a ULEZ or Clean Air Zone?
The recent expansion of London’s ULEZ is a move to help reduce the city’s air pollution and, in turn, improve residents’ lives.
Drivers living in or around the zone must follow strict emission standards each time they drive. If these aren’t met, they must pay a daily charge. Smaller local authorities across the UK are introducing similar schemes, with their own Clean Air Zones popping up in towns and cities.
The ULEZ expansion and the introduction of newer Clean Air Zones have proven to be divisive and controversial. Many are concerned about these schemes’ impacts on business owners who need regular access to city centres and don’t have access to ULEZ compliant vans.
Let’s consider the impact these schemes have on drivers, the associated costs, and whether moving to all-electric or ULEZ compliant vans is the way forward for business owners.
What does ULEZ mean?
By definition, a ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone. It refers to a specific area, usually within a larger town or city centre, where strict emission standards have been enforced.
Local authorities can penalise drivers if these aren’t met, normally in the form of a daily charge. Drivers are monitored using newly installed traffic cameras to ensure standards are met. If you were driving into London’s ULEZ and your van didn’t meet the emission requirements, it would cost you £12.50 per day.
The charge in London’s ULEZ covers everything from cars and motorcycles to commercial and specialist vehicles — a move to encourage more business owners to use ULEZ compliant vans.
What is the ULEZ charge for vans?
If you’re driving into London in a van that doesn’t meet required emission standards, there will be a ULEZ charge. The standard £12.50 charge applies to all drivers regardless of the vehicle type. Vans exempt from ULEZ won’t have to pay this charge.
It’s worth mentioning that there is a penalty if you choose to ignore the daily charge. This amounts to £180 but can be reduced to £90 if you pay within 14 days.
Are electric vans exempt from the ULEZ?
Electric vans are exempt from ULEZ restrictions thanks to their zero-emission powertrains. More traditional petrol, diesel, and hybrid vans may also be ULEZ compliant if they meet the required emission standards.
How do I know if my van is ULEZ compliant?
Regardless of the size of your van, you could still be charged when driving in a ULEZ. This all depends on the exhaust emissions it produces. For example, a diesel van must meet the Euro 6 exhaust emissions standards, and a petrol van must meet Euro 4 standards.
This means the majority of diesel vans registered before September 2015 will likely need to pay the charge, as well as petrol vans registered before January 2006.
Do I need a ULEZ-compliant van in other UK cities?
Across the country, local authorities are introducing their own Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to help reduce vehicle emissions in populated areas. Cities like Manchester and Birmingham have their own zones, largely following the same standard framework as London’s ULEZ.
As a rule, if you drive a ULEZ compliant van, it will likely meet the required emission standards of zones in other UK cities. However, specific rules may vary between cities, so utilise online tools and check for different requirements before starting any journey.
Best ULEZ-compliant vans
If you’re looking at vans exempt from the ULEZ, leasing could be a great option and a step towards future-proofing your business. The electric van lease market has seen considerable growth in recent years, as more people look to make sustainable and cost-effective decisions.
Here are some of the best ULEZ-compliant vans to lease with Synergy:
Mercedes E-Vito
The Mercedes E-Vito van is a comfortable and practical all-electric premium van. It’s ULEZ compliant and exempt from the London Congestion Charges. All this has been achieved without reducing load space and load capacity, making it a practical and efficient offering.
Nissan Townstar
The Nissan Townstar is the latest addition to Nissan’s van range and has been designed to utilise all the features that make small vans popular. The Townstar EV is the all-electric zero emission version, meaning there’s tax benefits and ULEZ compliance too. Everything has seen a big redesign compared to previous models, with a smart interior and the latest driver safety technology.
Ford Transit
Ford’s Transit is an icon of the working vehicle segment. It’s earned a reputation as a strong, reliable, and efficient offering. More recently the brand has introduced an all-electric version, great for urban low emission zones.
