London’s "Green Zone" Expanded: New Zero-Emission Rules for City Centre Transport

Transport for London (TfL) has officially confirmed that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be superseded by the new "Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ)" for central London, effective January 1, 2026. Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the finalized plans this afternoon, confirming that all combustion-engine vehicles—including hybrids—will face a daily charge of £20 to enter the Congestion Charge zone.

The ambitious policy aims to cut central London’s carbon emissions by a further 30% by 2028. "The air we breathe is a matter of life and death, not political convenience," the Mayor stated from City Hall. "London is leading the world in green urban living, and the ZEZ is the next logical step."

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Logistics giants like DHL and Royal Mail, who have already electrified 80% of their central London fleets, welcomed the move, stating they are "ZEZ Ready." However, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that independent tradespeople may struggle with the transition costs. To mitigate this, the government has announced a £50 million scrappage fund specifically for small business owners to upgrade to electric vans.

For the everyday commuter, this signals a major shift. Electric black cabs and buses will now dominate the West End, and luxury car manufacturers are taking note. Bentley and Rolls-Royce have both ramped up marketing for their fully electric models in the capital this month, anticipating a surge in demand from City executives who want to avoid the new levy while driving in style.