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Vehicles · 2025 charges

Clean Air Zone & ULEZ Cost Calculator

If your car or van doesn’t meet the emission standard, every day inside a Clean Air Zone or London’s ULEZ adds up fast. Estimate the annual cost before you commit to a daily commute.

days
wks

Annual cost

£3,000

Based on £12.50/day in London ULEZ.

Breakdown

  • Daily charge
    £13
  • Weekly cost
    £63
  • Annual cost
    £3,000

How we calculated your result

We multiply the daily charge for your vehicle class by the number of days you enter the zone each week, then by the weeks you do that over the year. The charge applies once per calendar day, not per trip.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Compliant cars (petrol Euro 4+ / diesel Euro 6+) pay nothing.
  • Pay or check compliance at gov.uk/clean-air-zones or tfl.gov.uk/ulez.
  • Charges run midnight to midnight — a 23:30 → 00:30 trip is two days.
  • Missed payment penalties start at £120 (London), £60–£120 elsewhere.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Auto-pay still needs registration

    TfL Auto Pay charges your card daily but you must register the vehicle first — driving in unregistered means a PCN.

  • ⚠ Hire and lease vehicles count

    The registered keeper is liable. Hire firms usually pass the charge on plus an admin fee of £20–£40.

  • ⚠ Class C zones don’t charge cars

    Bath and Sheffield only charge vans, taxis, coaches and HGVs — most private cars drive in free.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if my car is compliant?
Use the free checker at gov.uk/clean-air-zones or tfl.gov.uk — enter the number plate and it tells you instantly.
Can I claim it back from my employer?
Only if driving is wholly for work (not commuting). Daily charges paid for business mileage are an allowable expense.
What about the Congestion Charge?
London’s £15 Congestion Charge is separate and stacks on top of the ULEZ charge — total £27.50/day for a non-compliant car.

Charges shown are the published daily rates. Penalty rates and exemptions change — always verify on the operating authority’s website.

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