Low emission zone vandalism in London: soon all over Europe?

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be greatly expanded. From 29.08.2023, it will cover more than 1500 square kilometres, as the outermost areas of the metropolis Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey will then also be affected by the strict rules. Even a lawsuit by opponents could not prevent this move. 

Even vehicles that comply with the rules, for example diesel vehicles that are Euro Standard 6, will have to be registered before entering to avoid a fine. Vehicles that are too old pay £12.50 per day to be allowed to enter. This quickly adds up to a few hundred pounds a month for those who work in the city area and have to drive in every day. Penalties are up to £2000. London residents can get subsidies of up to £2000 to replace their non-ULEZ compliant car. Citizens outside London will not get a subsidy. 

The rapid implementation of the extension at a time of rising living costs is causing much resentment in London. Even in the areas most affected by air pollution, citizens are not behind the ULEZ. Now an angry mob is taking action against the Low Emission Zone, on its own terms. Hundreds of the cameras have already been put out of action.  

The situation shows that the introduction and extension of the Low Emission Zone was done with a crowbar. The Low Emission Zone in London is much stricter than the zones in most other countries in Europe. In Germany, diesel vehicles with Euro standard 4 are still allowed. In France, the rules vary from city to city, but Euro standards 4, 5 and 6 are also allowed in most zones there. In Denmark, cars will be affected by the environmental zones for the first time in autumn. Euro 5 will then be allowed to enter for the time being.  

So the government in London has gone over the heads of the citizens and introduced very strict rules over an enormously large area. Perhaps they have stood idly by for too long. Now they are running out of time and urgently need to tackle air pollution. So it is punishing its citizens, who are now clearly turning against the city and trying to sabotage the environmental zone with all their might.  

Even if the rules are less strict in the rest of Europe, there is resistance. This could quickly turn into violence, especially if there are new tightenings. The next few years will show whether people will go to the barricades elsewhere as well, or whether politicians will be able to convince citizens of the benefits of driving bans to improve air quality.