Our Ref:        FOI-2090-2425

Thank you for your request received on 3 October 2024 asking for information about the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked:

I request information held on the new ULEZ boundaries as extended from August 2023.

a)         What was the total value of ULEZ and LEZ charge revenue in the year following the ULEZ extension?

b)         What was the total value of ULEZ and LEZ charge revenue in the 4 years preceding the extension (August 2020-August 2021, August 2021- August 2022 and August 2022-August 2023)?

It should be noted that when the ULEZ was launched on 8 April 2019 it covered the same area as the Congestion Charging zone. On 25 October 2021 it was expanded up to, but not including the North and South Circular. This represented an 18x increase in the size of the zone. On 29 August 2023, the ULEZ was expanded across all London boroughs. Drivers of vehicles that do not meet the relevant ULEZ / LEZ standard must pay the daily charge to drive in London. If they do not pay the charge, they will be liable to receive a penalty charge notice (PCN). As the expansion was new between 25 October 2021 and 22 November 2021 we issued warning notices rather than PCNs to the keepers of non-compliant vehicles being driven in the zone without payment of the charge. Following the launch of the London-wide expansion, between 29 August and 25 September 2023, warning notices were issued to owners of non-compliant vehicles who had not paid the ULEZ charge after driving in the zone. Warning notices were issued to ensure the correct action is taken in the future and to allow for any genuine mistakes that may have occurred. Since 26 September 2023, penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued for contraventions. 

The below table shows ULEZ and LEZ revenue (inclusive of PCN income across both schemes). Please note, we do not hold the data in calendar months as it does not align to our financial periods, therefore, the table provides the dates in August that gives a full periodic set of financial results:

c)         I request data since August 2023 on the number of fines by London borough. This would apply only to London residents i.e. if a Camden resident paid one ULEZ charge, this constitutes one charge for Camden; if a Tower Hamlets resident paid one LEZ charge, this constitutes one charge for Tower Hamlets; if a Hertfordshire resident paid the ULEZ, this would not be relevant to the inquiry.

When we issue a PCN for non-payment of the daily charge, the notices are sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle as held by the DVLA. The address to which the penalty is sent does not necessarily indicate that that is where the driver resides. For example, we issue PCNs to hire and lease companies based in London and we do not know where the driver, who incurred the penalty, resides.

The data provided in the table below is for LEZ and ULEZ PCNs issued to registered keepers in each London boroughs for contraventions between 29 August 23 and 30 September 24. Please note, a registered keeper may have received more than one PCN.

d)         I request data since August 2023 on the types of vehicles charged in the ULEZ and LEZ. This can be provided in whatever form it is recorded by TfL. This would be all vehicles charged a ULEZ or LEZ fee, and descriptions of those vehicles in as much detail as is recorded, i.e. make, model, etc. 

Please see the attached spreadsheet which provides information regarding PCNs issued for non-payment of daily charges by vehicle make/model, as registered with the DVLA between 29 August 23 and 30 September 24.

e)         In the year since August 2023, please provide the number of unique ULEZ and LEZ fine recipients.

f)          Please provide the number of unique ULEZ and LEZ fine recipients in the 4 years preceding the extension (August 2020-August 2021, August 2021- August 2022 and August 2022-August 

g)         Please provide, if available, the largest costs incurred by individuals in ULEZ and LEZ fines in the preceding four years (August 2020-August 2021, August 2021- August 2022, August 2022-August 2023, and August 2023-August 2024). 

Please see the requested information in the table below:

It should be noted that when the ULEZ was launched on 8 April 2019 it covered the same area as the Congestion Charging zone. On 25 October 2021 it was expanded up to, but not including the North and South Circular. This represented an 18x increase in the size of the zone. On 29 August 2023 it was further extended across all London boroughs. This accounts for the reason why unique vehicles receiving PCNs has varied significantly from year to year. 

Over the same period the LEZ has covered all London boroughs.

•           The data has been split into yearly periods

•           Largest costs incurred by individuals can be found in column F 'Highest value PCN charges' – this is the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) that incurred the highest value in charges related to that scheme within the specified time period

Please note that LEZ PCNs for vehicles not meeting Euro IV standard (PM) weighing over 3.5t is £2000, reduced to £1000 for payment in 14 days. When a PCN is escalated, it then becomes payable at £3000 per penalty. Full details of the PCN values for LEZ are available on our website: 

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/penalty-charges 

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely 

Gemma Jacob

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

[email protected]