There’s been a lot of talk about eco-friendly cars and the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles within the UK. The ban isn’t set to come into effect until 2040 but in 2019 the all-new Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) will be introduced on 8th April.
And now, new research has revealed that a number of ‘eco’ cars that were thought to be exempt from the charges will actually have to pay the fees.
Some of the cars include:
2015 Citroen C3 Edition 1.6 Bluehdi 100 Edition 5dr 90bhp
2015 Citroen C4 1.6 e-HDi Airdream VTR+ Hatchback 5dr Diesel 115bhp
2015 Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic Style 5dr 94bhp
2015 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi 115 Zetec 5dr 113bhp
2015 Fiat Panda 1.2 MULTIJET POP 5d 75 BHP
If cars do not meet the emissions standard, they will be charged £12.50 per day for driving into the zone.The Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week and so the cost can quickly add up for drivers. Especially as this new eco charge will have to be paid in conjunction with the £11.50 Congestion Charge fee, which is in operation between the hours of 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday.
Using the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) every day would cost £4,562 alone.
Petrol cars that do not meet the ‘Euro 4’ emissions standard (registered up to 2005) and diesel cars that fail to meet the ‘Euro 6’ standard (registered up to September 2015) will be liable for the fees.
Initially thought to only be applicable to those driving into London, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) revealed to the Express that:
“Many people think that as they don’t drive in London, or that they drive newish ‘eco’ cars, this won’t affect them. They are wrong.
“The UK Government have given powers to local authorities to introduce emissions-based charges pretty much at their whim and with no justification.
“Councils all over the UK are looking to copy Sadiq Khan’s lead, Manchester being well advanced in its plan.”
