[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-ultra-low-emission-zone-will-still-allow-dirty-diesels\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-ultra-low-emission-zone-will-still-allow-dirty-diesels\/","headline":"New Ultra Low Emission Zone Will Still Allow \u201cDirty Diesels\u201d","name":"New Ultra Low Emission Zone Will Still Allow \u201cDirty Diesels\u201d","description":"The new ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) launched on Monday (April 8) and although it is a giant leap towards making the UK\u2019s capital cleaner, it isn\u2019t as drastic as some think. The new system avoids outright bans of heavy polluters such as old trucks, lorries, \u201cdirty diesels\u201d and others by employing a charging mechanism. A deterrence rather than an outright ban. Diesel cars still being punished more than petrol cars The rules of the new ULEZ state that petrol cars […]","datePublished":"2019-04-10","dateModified":"2022-08-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/New-Low-Emission-Zone-Will-Still-Allow-Dirty-Diesels-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/New-Low-Emission-Zone-Will-Still-Allow-Dirty-Diesels-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-ultra-low-emission-zone-will-still-allow-dirty-diesels\/","about":["BLOG","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Vans"],"wordCount":540,"keywords":["ulez","ULEZ London","ultra low emission zone"],"articleBody":"The new ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) launched on Monday (April 8) and although it is a giant leap towards making the UK\u2019s capital cleaner, it isn\u2019t as drastic as some think.The new system avoids outright bans of heavy polluters such as old trucks, lorries, \u201cdirty diesels\u201d and others by employing a charging mechanism. A deterrence rather than an outright ban. Diesel cars still being punished more than petrol carsThe rules of the new ULEZ state that petrol cars with a minimum Euro 4 standard will be allowed access to the centre of London for free. However, Diesels must comply with the Euro 6 standard to reap the same benefit.This is because the government now believethat diesel vehicles, although better for the environment, are actually muchworse for people. High population areas such as London and other cities aremost susceptible to the harmful NOx emissions that are produced by dieselvehicles. NOx emissions are dangerous when breathed andhave direct links to health complications such as asthma and other respiratoryconditions. Around 65% of London\u2019s NOx emissions are said to come from trafficon busy roads. AIR (Allow Independent Road-testing)AIR are the publishers of the \u201cAIR index\u201d which is the world\u2019s only independent, standardised on-road emissions rating system. The industry standard for measuring car emissions is normally the \u201cEuro\u201d rating, e.g Euro 4, Euro 5, Euro 6 etc. The AIR index takes urban driving into account when measuring NOx emissions, which the Euro rating does not. The AIR index actually rates many \u201cclean\u201d Euro 6 diesel cars as very unclean because when in urban areas, the cars run less efficiently and actually emit more dangerous emissions. The new ULEZ allows Euro 6 diesels to drivewithout extra charge because they are deemed \u201cclean\u201d according to the Eurostandard. The AIR index seems to disagree. The Euro standards are all measuredin lab environment rather than real, on-road driving which is why the resultsare so different when compared to the AIR index. The shocking difference between \u201cEuro\u201d rating and \u201cAIR Index\u201dThe AIR organisation tested a 2017 RenaultClio 1.5 litre dCi diesel, which is Euro 6 vehicle often regarded as fairlyclean and modern. However, AIR found that when tested in real-life conditions,the Clio actually emitted 20 times more NOx than a 2018 Land Rover Discovery3.0 litre TD6 diesel! London\u2019s new ULEZ is based on Euro ratings, meaning that dirty diesels such as the Clio that was tested will still get away with evading emission charges, while other potentially cleaner diesels that are Euro 5 will be charged.Operations Director and Co-Founder of the AIRIndex, Massimo Fedeli, had this to say:\u201cWe believe that ULEZ should be based on abetter source of data. Without a better source, the positive benefits will beseen more slowly, and the number of car-owners affected will be greater thannecessary. It would immediately be more effective if used in conjunction withthe ratings provided through the AIR Index,\u201d So in summary, the new ULEZ punishes diesel vehicles more by only allowing Euro 6 to drive in London free of charge, but at the same time the rules fail to catch other dirty diesels that are rated Euro 6.Let us know your thoughts on the topic!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"New Ultra Low Emission Zone Will Still Allow \u201cDirty Diesels\u201d","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-ultra-low-emission-zone-will-still-allow-dirty-diesels\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]