Ultra low emission streets

If you are a driver of an ultra low emission vehicle (a ULEV), you do not need to do anything and are automatically exempt.

ULEVs are vehicles that emit less than 75g/km C02 and includes all (100%) electric and hydrogen vehicles and some of the cleanest, least polluting, hybrid vehicles.

To check if your vehicle is considered a ULEV, use The Vehicle Certification Agency’s online fuel consumption tool.

Vehicles which do not meet the emission standards are not permitted on the streets within the zone during peak hours. Cameras within the zone will identify these vehicles and they’re issued a penalty charge notice. The exception is UV1 permit holders.

The following drivers of vehicles which are not ultra low emission vehicles are eligible to apply for a UV1 permit free of charge:

• residents who live in the zones and who have either an on-street car parking permit or an off-street parking space
• businesses who live in the zones and who have either an on-street car parking permits or an off-street parking space
• blue badge holders who need vehicle access to a property within the ULEV Streets Zone
• emergency vehicles and waste collection vehicles

The following drivers are not eligible for a UV1 permit:
delivery and service vehicles

• visitor transport, taxis and private hire vehicles
• construction traffic
• general through-traffic

Apply for a UV1 permit

Apply for a ULEV Street exemption

ULEVs are generally defined as vehicles that emit 0-75g of CO2 per km driven and are capable of operating in zero tailpipe emissions mode for a range of at least 10 miles. This includes all electric and hydrogen vehicles and some of the cleanest, least polluting, hybrid vehicles.

There are signs at the entrances to the streets to inform drivers of the restrictions.

If you enter the street during operating times in a vehicle that is not a bicycle, ultra low emissions vehicle (ULEV), or registered vehicle with a UV1 permit, the camera will identify your vehicle and you may receive a penalty charge notice.

All vehicles already parked in the zones before the times of operation will be able to leave without receiving a penalty charge notice.

In 2019, air pollution in Greater London was estimated to cause between 3,600 to 4,100 deaths (Imperial College London, 2019). To address this, we are introducing ULEV streets in Shoreditch. These streets prioritise low pollution transport, making it easier and safer to walk and cycle. The aim is to reduce the harmful effects of pollution and improve the area’s character for residents and businesses.

Delivery vehicles make up around 50% of the polluting traffic in the City Fringe area, a major factor in the development of ULEV streets, which will help to support the shift to low emissions delivery vehicles in the area.

We recognise that our streets are not just places to park vehicles or drive, walk and cycle. They are also the places where we socialise, shop and live our lives. We are committed to making Hackney’s roads safer for everyone living, working and visiting the borough, creating an environment that will encourage more walking and cycling, improve air quality and reduce emissions.

The ultra low emissions streets will reclaim the roads in Shoreditch from parked vehicles and motor traffic congestion and transform them into attractive and liveable neighbourhoods.

The scheme is funded through the Mayor’s air quality fund (MAQF) and the go ultra low city scheme (GULCS).

The GULCS is a £13 million initiative to enable people to switch to ultra low emission vehicles. It is funded by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and is administered by London Councils and Transport for London.

If a business or taxi vehicle does not meet the emission standards of an ultra low emission vehicle, they would need to arrive outside the hours of the ULEV streets operation. Outside of the hours of Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.

From 19 January to 14 February 2018, we consulted local residents, businesses and stakeholders about the ultra low emission streets.

We sent out pre-consultation letters to 1,500 addresses in the ULEV area to inform them of the scheme and 3,500 copies of the consultation pack and an additional 2,000 reminder letters were delivered to local residents and businesses in and around the Shoreditch area. We also visited over 200 addresses within the zones to inform residents and businesses of the proposals and ask them to complete the consultation.

The majority of respondents (56%) supported the ULEV streets proposals with 40% opposing and 4% neither supporting or opposing. Within 1km of the scheme, support rose to 67%.

View the results

Ultra low emissions streets, or ULEV Streets, are a Hackney-led scheme which differ from the ULEZ, which is a London-wide scheme led by TfL.

The ultra low emissions streets in Shoreditch will only permit ultra low emission vehicles, which are vehicles that emit 0-75g of CO2 per km driven.

View information about TfL’s London-wide ultra low emissions zone.

From April 2019, the ULEZ will cover part of the ultra low emission streets however the different requirements will still be enforced.

The Mayor of London has launched a new £110m scrappage scheme. It provides financial assistance to help eligible Londoners scrap their highest polluting vehicles to prepare for the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023.

To see what support is available, visit Transport For London – Scrappage scheme.