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What was the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
The ULEZ scrappage scheme closed to new applications on 7 September 2024.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 5 February 2025 | 0 min read
The ULEZ scrappage scheme has closed to new applications, with the final applications received on Sunday, 8 September 2024.
No official reason for ending the scrappage scheme has been given, but it has been attributed to several factors including budgetary constraints and reduced interest in the scheme after the initial take up.
No official reason for ending the scrappage scheme has been given, but it has been attributed to several factors including budgetary constraints and reduced interest in the scheme after the initial take up.
What was the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
When London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded citywide on August 29, 2023. The London Scrappage Scheme also expanded, offering up to £2,000 for non-compliant cars or motorcycles to aid drivers in transitioning to ULEZ-compliant vehicles.
At the same time, scrappage payments for vans increased from £5,000 to £7,000. Small businesses could scrap up to three vans, with retrofit payments rising from £5,000 to £6,000. Charities received higher grants for minibuses, increasing from £7,000 to £9,000. Wheelchair-adapted vehicle grants were doubled. The scheme applied charges to diesel cars and vans that didn’t meet Euro 6 standards, petrol cars and vans that didn’t meet Euro 4 standards, and motorcycles that didn’t meet Euro 3 standards.
At the same time, scrappage payments for vans increased from £5,000 to £7,000. Small businesses could scrap up to three vans, with retrofit payments rising from £5,000 to £6,000. Charities received higher grants for minibuses, increasing from £7,000 to £9,000. Wheelchair-adapted vehicle grants were doubled. The scheme applied charges to diesel cars and vans that didn’t meet Euro 6 standards, petrol cars and vans that didn’t meet Euro 4 standards, and motorcycles that didn’t meet Euro 3 standards.
What is ULEZ?
The ULEZ (Ultra-Low Emission Zone) was originally introduced in 2019 and applies to cars and motorcycles. ULEZ charges are applied to:
• Diesel cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 6 Standards • Petrol cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 4 Standards • Motorbikes that don’t meet Euro 3 Standards It is designed to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Greater London. You can learn more about ULEZ, and other Clean Air Zones proposed for the UK here.
• Diesel cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 6 Standards • Petrol cars and vans that don’t meet Euro 4 Standards • Motorbikes that don’t meet Euro 3 Standards It is designed to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Greater London. You can learn more about ULEZ, and other Clean Air Zones proposed for the UK here.
Finding ULEZ compliant cars
To drive through ULEZ without paying a charge, vehicles will need to meet the following emissions standards:
• Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Most, if not all, petrol cars registered since January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are also exempt from paying charges. • Diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards. Almost every diesel car registered since September 2015 meets these standards, though some earlier models do too. • Hybrid cars must meet the same standard as petrol or diesel cars. So petrol hybrids (the most common type), must meet Euro 4 standards and diesel hybrids must meet Euro 6 standards. • All electric cars are ULEZ compliant, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions. As the driver, it’s your responsibility to check you’re compliant. You can use the Government’s clean air zone tool to see whether you’ll need to pay - you’ll need your number plate to start. You can learn more about ULEZ-compliant cars here, and start searching for compliant cars using the links below: • Search for electric cars • Search for compliant petrol vehicles • Search for compliant diesels
• Petrol cars must meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Most, if not all, petrol cars registered since January 2006 meet these standards. Petrol cars that meet Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards are also exempt from paying charges. • Diesel cars must meet Euro 6 standards. Almost every diesel car registered since September 2015 meets these standards, though some earlier models do too. • Hybrid cars must meet the same standard as petrol or diesel cars. So petrol hybrids (the most common type), must meet Euro 4 standards and diesel hybrids must meet Euro 6 standards. • All electric cars are ULEZ compliant, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions. As the driver, it’s your responsibility to check you’re compliant. You can use the Government’s clean air zone tool to see whether you’ll need to pay - you’ll need your number plate to start. You can learn more about ULEZ-compliant cars here, and start searching for compliant cars using the links below: • Search for electric cars • Search for compliant petrol vehicles • Search for compliant diesels