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ULEZ scrappage scheme closes for new applicants
The ULEZ scrappage scheme closed on 7 September 2024 - here's what that means for you.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Last updated on 13 September 2024 | 0 min read
The ULEZ scrappage scheme has closed to new applications.
If you submitted an application before Sunday, 8 September 2024, your application will still be processed, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and supply the necessary evidence when requested. If you’re awaiting confirmation, the aim is to contact you within 10 working days. If your vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ standards, you may need to pay a daily charge when driving within the zone. Ensure your vehicle complies or consider other transport options to avoid the fee. Previously, London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded to cover all boroughs on August 29, 2023, following the initiative led by Mayor Sadiq Khan. To help drivers transition to ULEZ-compliant vehicles, the London Scrappage Scheme was expanded, offering grants of up to £2,000 for non-compliant cars or motorcycles. Additionally, scrappage payments for vans increased from £5,000 to £7,000, and small businesses were allowed to scrap up to three vans, with increased retrofit payments from £5,000 to £6,000. Charities also benefitted from grants for minibuses, with payments raised from £7,000 to £9,000. Wheelchair-adapted vehicle grants 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. The expanded scrappage scheme aimed to provide support to every Londoner impacted by ULEZ. As of August 4, 2023, small businesses and charities with non-compliant vans received up to £7,000 per vehicle. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle grants increased from £5,000 to £10,000, and scrapping minibus grants rose from £7,000 to £9,000. Grants for replacing non-compliant vans with electric ones increased to £9,500, while replacing a non-compliant minibus with an electric one resulted in grants of up to £11,500. Retrofit grants increased to £6,000. By August 21, 2023, every Londoner with a non-ULEZ-compliant car was eligible for a £2,000 grant. Small businesses and sole traders could receive up to £21,000 to scrap three vans, while charities could claim up to £28,000 to scrap three minibuses.
If you submitted an application before Sunday, 8 September 2024, your application will still be processed, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and supply the necessary evidence when requested. If you’re awaiting confirmation, the aim is to contact you within 10 working days. If your vehicle doesn’t meet ULEZ standards, you may need to pay a daily charge when driving within the zone. Ensure your vehicle complies or consider other transport options to avoid the fee. Previously, London's Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanded to cover all boroughs on August 29, 2023, following the initiative led by Mayor Sadiq Khan. To help drivers transition to ULEZ-compliant vehicles, the London Scrappage Scheme was expanded, offering grants of up to £2,000 for non-compliant cars or motorcycles. Additionally, scrappage payments for vans increased from £5,000 to £7,000, and small businesses were allowed to scrap up to three vans, with increased retrofit payments from £5,000 to £6,000. Charities also benefitted from grants for minibuses, with payments raised from £7,000 to £9,000. Wheelchair-adapted vehicle grants 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. The expanded scrappage scheme aimed to provide support to every Londoner impacted by ULEZ. As of August 4, 2023, small businesses and charities with non-compliant vans received up to £7,000 per vehicle. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle grants increased from £5,000 to £10,000, and scrapping minibus grants rose from £7,000 to £9,000. Grants for replacing non-compliant vans with electric ones increased to £9,500, while replacing a non-compliant minibus with an electric one resulted in grants of up to £11,500. Retrofit grants increased to £6,000. By August 21, 2023, every Londoner with a non-ULEZ-compliant car was eligible for a £2,000 grant. Small businesses and sole traders could receive up to £21,000 to scrap three vans, while charities could claim up to £28,000 to scrap three minibuses.
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