Report: London's air quality has improved in first year of ULEZ expansion

Fri 07 March 2025 View all news

Air pollution in London has been reduced as a result of the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in the capital according to a report from City Hall which has been reviewed by a group of independent experts.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide which exacerbates asthma, impedes lung development, and raises the risk of lung cancer is estimated to have decreased by 27% across all of London.

The ULEZ zone, which charges drivers whose vehicles don't meet emission standards, was expanded to outer London by London's mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in August 2023.

Particle emissions (PM 2.5) from vehicle exhausts, are also 31% lower in outer London in 2024 than they would have been without the ULEZ expansion according to the report. London’s air quality in general is improving at a faster rate than the rest of England.

The report says that the ULEZ has also substantially reduced carbon emissions.

The Mayor of London launched the world’s first 24-hour Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London in April 2019. The zone was expanded across inner London in 2021 and, again, to cover the whole capital In August 2023.

The biggest reductions in nitrogen dioxide levels have been in central London (54%) but there have also been substantial reductions in inner London (29%) and outer London (24%) according to the report.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:  “The decision to expand the ULEZ was not something I took lightly, but this report shows it was the right one for the health of all Londoners. It has been crucial to protect the health of Londoners, support children's lung growth, and reduce the risk of people developing asthma, lung cancer and a host of other health issues related to air pollution."  

Transport for London (TfL) data also shows that Londoners have continued to upgrade their vehicles to cleaner models with 96.7 per cent of vehicles seen driving in London now ULEZ compliant, up from 91.6 per cent in June 2023 and 39 per cent in February 2017, when changes associated with the ULEZ began. Van compliance in outer London is also up with over 90 per cent meeting the standards for the first time. In February 2017, just 12 per cent of vans met the standards.

Image courtesy Transport for London

 

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