London's Air: Electric Vehicles To The Rescue

London's air pollution is a public health crisis, causing life-changing illnesses such as cancer, asthma, lung disease, and an increased risk of dementia. The primary source of this pollution is road transport, with cars, buses, and taxis combusting fossil fuels and releasing toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle this, London has implemented the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which charges drivers of heavily polluting vehicles a daily fee, encouraging a switch to cleaner modes of transport. This is part of a broader policy agenda to make London more equitable and address the climate emergency, with initiatives like upgrading the public bus fleet to low or zero-emission, electrifying taxis, and building cycling infrastructure. The goal is to make London the city with the best air quality of any major city in the world by 2050.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

The ULEZ was launched in Central London in 2019 to address these issues. It requires drivers of certain vehicles to meet strict emissions standards or pay a daily charge. This charge is £12.50 per day for cars, motorcycles, and vans, and it applies to the most polluting vehicles entering the Congestion Charge Zone. The ULEZ has helped to reduce the number of older, polluting vehicles on the roads, and it has cut harmful nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The zone was expanded across all London boroughs in August 2023 to help improve air quality for more residents.

The ULEZ is part of a broader policy agenda to make London a more equitable and environmentally friendly city. It builds on previous policies focused on reducing traffic congestion and emissions from large vehicles. The implementation of the ULEZ has been gradual and complementary to these preceding policies. For example, street closures outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times have promoted active travel and reduced local air pollution.

In addition to the ULEZ, London is implementing other measures to improve air quality. This includes upgrading the public bus fleet to low or zero-emission vehicles, electrifying taxis, and building cycling infrastructure. The city is also working towards a Green New Deal mission for London's recovery, aiming to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies and improve air quality by growing the green economy.

The ULEZ has been recognised as an innovative approach to tackling air pollution and inequality, and it was a finalist for the 2020-2021 Prize for Cities. By implementing this policy, London is taking ambitious steps to create a cleaner and healthier city for all its residents.

Reducing road transport emissions

Road vehicles are the single biggest cause of London's air pollution. To reduce road transport emissions, London has implemented various measures, including:

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

The ULEZ, launched in 2019, covers central London and requires drivers to meet strict vehicle emissions standards or pay a daily charge. This initiative aims to encourage residents and businesses to switch to cleaner modes of transport and has already helped reduce the number of older, polluting vehicles on the road.

Greener Transport Options

London is promoting the use of electric vehicles and preparing for an increase in their number. The city has the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe, with over 1,500 electric and hydrogen buses. All new licensed taxis must be zero-emission capable, and more than half of London's licensed taxis already fall into this category.

School Streets

London has created over 600 School Streets in partnership with the boroughs. These restrict vehicle access outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times, making it safer and encouraging children to walk, cycle, or scooter to school. This initiative also improves air quality for young lungs.

Cycling Infrastructure

London is creating a growing network of new and upgraded Cycleways to promote cycling as a mode of transport. The city offers free online cycle skills training for all abilities to build confidence and encourage safe cycling on the roads.

Reducing Traffic and Vehicle Pollution

The Mayor's Transport Team is working to reduce traffic and vehicle pollution, improve road safety, and increase the use of renewable energy in the transport network. This includes initiatives like street closures for cars, which promote walking and cycling while reducing local air pollution.

Air Quality Targets

London aims to have the best air quality of any major city in the world by 2050. The city is working towards meeting World Health Organization (WHO) health-based guidelines by 2030 and transitioning to a zero-emission target.

Improving London's public transport network

Expand and Upgrade the Public Transport Fleet: London has already made significant progress in this area, with the introduction of low or zero-emission buses. As of now, London has over 1,500 electric and hydrogen buses, giving it the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe. This expansion of cleaner public transport options needs to continue, with a focus on electrification. This includes introducing more electric buses, as well as electric or hybrid trains and trams.

Improve Infrastructure for Active Travel: Encouraging active travel options like walking and cycling can significantly reduce vehicle emissions. London has already taken steps in this direction by creating School Streets, restricting vehicle access outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times, making it safer for children to walk or cycle to school. Additionally, the city is creating a growing network of Cycleways and providing free online cycle skills training. Further measures could include expanding and enhancing cycle lanes, making streets more pedestrian-friendly, and introducing shared e-scooter schemes.

Integrate Sustainable Transport Options: London can promote sustainable transport options by integrating different modes of transport into a seamless network. This includes improving connections between bus, train, tram, and cycling networks, as well as introducing new options like e-scooters. A well-integrated transport network can provide more efficient and attractive alternatives to private car usage.

Reduce Traffic Congestion: While this strategy may not directly improve the public transport network, reducing traffic congestion can make road transport more efficient and reduce emissions. This can be achieved through road layout improvements, intelligent traffic management systems, and the expansion of road user charging schemes like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The ULEZ, which charges vehicles for entering certain areas based on their emission levels, has been successful in reducing the number of older, polluting vehicles on London's roads.

Electrify Taxi Fleets: London has already implemented a policy requiring all new licensed taxis to be zero-emission capable, and over half of the city's taxis already fall into this category. Continuing to support taxi drivers and operators in transitioning to electric vehicles will further reduce emissions and improve air quality.

These measures, combined with continued innovation in urban design and stronger environmental regulations, will help London achieve its goal of becoming a cleaner and greener city with improved air quality for all its residents.

Encouraging walking and cycling

One such measure is the creation of School Streets, which restrict vehicle access outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times. This initiative has made it safer and easier for children to travel to and from school on foot, by bike, or by scooter, while also improving the air quality in these areas. London has also introduced street closures for cars in certain areas, promoting walking and cycling while reducing local air pollution.

In addition to infrastructure changes, London offers free online cycle skills training for all abilities to help residents build their confidence and safely cycle on the city's roads. The city is also working to upgrade and expand its network of Cycleways, providing safe and convenient routes for cyclists across the city.

To further encourage active travel, London is focused on improving streets and reducing road dangers. This includes initiatives to reduce traffic and vehicle pollution, such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which charges drivers of polluting vehicles to enter certain areas of the city. The revenue generated from these charges is used to fund initiatives that improve the city's green infrastructure and promote cleaner modes of transport.

By encouraging walking and cycling, London aims to reduce its air pollution levels, improve the health and well-being of its residents, and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. These initiatives are part of the city's comprehensive package of clean mobility measures, which also include upgrading public transport fleets to low or zero-emission vehicles.

Educating Londoners on air quality

The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have implemented various initiatives to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. One of the most notable initiatives is the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), introduced in 2019, which covers central London. The ULEZ requires drivers of older, more polluting vehicles to pay a daily charge, encouraging a switch to cleaner modes of transport. This has already made a substantial difference, reducing the number of polluting vehicles on the road and lowering harmful nitrogen dioxide concentrations.

In addition to the ULEZ, other measures include upgrading the public bus fleet, electrifying taxis, and improving cycling infrastructure. TfL has the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe, with over 1,500 electric and hydrogen buses. All new licensed taxis in London must now be zero-emission capable, and half of the existing fleet already meets this standard.

To empower Londoners to make greener choices, it is essential to provide clear and accessible information about air quality. Londoners can sign up for alerts to be informed about forecasted poor air quality in their area. Additionally, TfL offers air quality advice for different levels of daily air pollution, enabling residents to take proactive steps to reduce their exposure and impact on the environment.

Education also extends to raising awareness about the health impacts of air pollution. Toxic air pollution has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, asthma, stroke, and an increased risk of dementia. It is a social justice issue, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and ethnic minorities, who are more likely to live in areas with worse air quality. By understanding these disparities, Londoners can advocate for equitable solutions and policies that prioritize the health and well-being of all residents.

London aims to have the best air quality of any major city in the world by 2050. Achieving this ambitious goal requires a collective effort, with individuals, communities, and policymakers working together to reduce emissions, adopt cleaner technologies, and prioritize sustainable modes of transportation. Educating Londoners is a critical component of this journey, empowering them to make informed choices and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for the city.

Frequently asked questions