London could get its first electric vehicle only ‘Zero Emission Zones’ by 2020, aimed at improving air quality and driving uptake of cleaner travel, as part of an environmental strategy revealed today.

Air pollution remains high despite EU legal requirements to reduce it

The final draft of the London Environment Strategy, issued by Sadiq Khan, has been presented to the London Assembly and will be published within weeks. It addresses not only transport emissions, but reduced waste and more energy-efficient buildings, calling for government support to put the plans into action.

The Zero Emission Zones would be located in town centres, and bring the deadline forward from 2025. Khan said the plans had the support of businesses and local authorities, and would support ongoing ambitions to make London legally compliant with NO2 limits possibly even before the 2025 target set out in the government’s Air Quality Plan.

“This strategy sets out my plans to clean up our filthy air with bold new air quality measures, tackle waste and promote cleaner energy so we can make London a healthier city that adapts to the impacts of climate change,” explained Mayor Khan.

London is less than a year away from its first Ultra-Low Emission Zone, which will introduce charges for pre-Euro 6 diesel and pre-Euro 4 petrol vehicles, as of next April. Brought forward 17 months, it covers the current Congestion Charge zone in the centre of the capital, but proposals are in place to widen it to the North and South Circular roads in 2021. Charges will apply 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.