London Sees Major Air Quality Gains Following Ulez Expansion

New report highlights significant reductions in harmful pollutants across the city, with outer boroughs and deprived communities benefiting the most.

The expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in August 2023 has led to a 27% drop in nitrogen dioxide levels across the city since its implementation in 2019.
Outer London boroughs, including those that opposed the policy, saw the largest reductions in nitrogen oxides emissions, with decreases of over 15% in areas like Sutton, Croydon, and Bromley.
Small-particle emissions (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts in outer London were 31% lower in 2024 compared to a scenario without the Ulez expansion.
The report found that 96.7% of vehicles in outer London now meet Ulez standards, with nearly 100,000 non-compliant vehicles removed from daily use since the policy's rollout.
Deprived communities living near busy roads experienced an 80-82% reduction in exposure to illegal pollution levels, significantly improving public health outcomes.