London’s ULEZ is set to expand massively in August, bringing hundreds of thousands more people within its boundaries.
The change means that virtually every driver living or commuting in the Greater London area will need to have a car that complies with the zone’s tight emissions rules or pay a £12.50 daily charge.
The ULEZ is designed to banish more polluting older cars from the city. This is done based on an engine’s emissions ratings under standard testing. That’s why a 21-year-old 1.0-litre Toyota Yaris is outlawed but a new 6.5-litre V12 Lamborghini Aventador is fine.
As a rule, any petrol car with a Euro 4 or newer engine and any diesel with a Euro 6 compliant engine is exempt from the ULEZ charge. That covers most petrols builts since 2006 and most diesel from late 2015, meaning there are plenty of sensible options available as well as some surprisingly silly ones.
You can also avoid the charge by opting for a classic car. Under the scheme’s rules anything over 40 years old gets “historic” exemption, regardless of its size, economy or emissions.
With those options in mind, here are a few of our favourite ULEZ exempt cars, from sensible and affordable modern models to the utterly outlandish.
9. Citroen CX
If you’re going to spend your days stuck in London traffic, you might as well be comfy, and no-one does comfort like Citroen. The CX’s price falls somewhere between the ridiculous Lambo and the more sensible Ford and Toyotas (around £5,000-£30,000) but gets you a tonne of French quirkiness, stand-out looks, sofa-like seats and age-related exemption from the ULEZ. | Citroen
10. Mk1 VW Golf
With prices going through the roof, the original Golf is hardly an affordable classic any more but it’s a motoring icon, especially in desirable GTI form. And thanks to the 40-year-rule, this piece of motoring history is ULEZ exempt as well as being small and nimble compared to much of modern traffic. | Volkswagen