London introduces world’s first 24*7 ultra low emission zone

London introduces world's first 24*7 ultra low emission zone

Question: Which of the following city became the first one in world to implement 24*7 pollution charge zone?
(a) London
(b) Paris
(c) Geneva
(d) New York
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

  • On 8 April 2019, London became the first city in the world to implement a 24*7 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
  • Ultra Low Emission Zone is a special status given to a region in order to reduce air pollution. As a part of environment conservation measures, it will charge an entry fee for vehicles not meeting the emission standards.
  • ULEZ is next stage to clean city’s air following T-charge — an extra charge for highly polluting vehicles in the city center — introduced in February 2017.
  • The zone will cover the same area as the existing Congestion Charge — collected from drivers in the city center — until 2021.
  • The ULEZ is set to be expanded to cover the entire area between the North and South Circular roads in 2021.
  • These vital preventive measures resulted to fall of vehicles (around 11,000 per day) entering the zone and there has been a significant 55 per cent increase in emissions-compliant vehicles in the zone.
  • It is worth to state that Air pollution costs Euro 3.7 billion to the capital every year, and Euro 20 billion to the country every year.

                                                                                       By Amar Mani Upadhyay

Links:

https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/london-becomes-first-city-to-implement-24×7-pollution-charge-zone-119040900089_1.html

https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/transport/transport/london-introduces-worlds-first-24-hour-ultra-low-emission-zone