Ultra low emission streets

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 the operating times in a petrol, diesel or older hybrid vehicle you haven’t registered for an exemption, your vehicle will be identified by camera and you’ll be issued with 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.

Types of traffic exempted from the scheme:

• local residents and businesses with on-street car parking permits or an off-street parking space

• essential vehicles such as police or waste collection vehicles

• blue badge holders who need to park at a property within the ULEV Streets Zone

Types of vehicles not exempted from the scheme:

• delivery and service vehicles

• visitor transport, taxis and private hire vehicles

• construction traffic

• general through-traffic

Poor air quality causes the premature death of 10,000 Londoners per year. We are introducing ULEV streets to prioritise low pollution transport, and reduce the harmful effects of pollution, making it easier and safer to walk and cycle in Shoreditch and improve the character of the area 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.

Residents and businesses in the City Fringe area in Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets are eligible for a discount card that gives special offers on low emission taxi and delivery services through the Zero Emissions Network (ZEN). Sign up for free and receive a ZENCARD to access the offers, which includes:

• 2 free deliveries up to the value of £50 and 15% off all deliveries after with Pedivan Delivery
• up to 12% off ultra low emission cab rides with Green Tomato Cars
• a 10% discount on your first order with Pedals Delivery when you quote ZEN
• swap a car for a cargo bike with Pedal Me and get 20% off taxi rides and deliveries.
• get 15% off your first electric vehicle delivery with Spark Move when you quote ZEN

Residents and businesses can also trial cargo bikes or electric cars, vans or bikes for free for up to 2 weeks through the Zero Emissions Network.

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.