The U.K. has put into effect a new set of criteria on Monday stipulating that all vehicles driving through central London need to lower air pollution and emissions.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) introduced by Mayor Sadiq Khan targets older, more polluting vehicles, and requires all vehicles to comply with the different emission standards based on their vehicle type and the type of emission, according to Transport for London.
ULEZ operates from midnight to midnight, every day of the year within central London.
Cars, smaller vans, motorbikes and other lighter vehicles that do not comply with the criteria need to pay a daily charge of £12.50 while lorries, buses, coaches and other heavier vehicles choosing to drive through the designated zone will be charged £100.
Transport for London prefers "that your vehicle meets the ULEZ standards so you don't need to pay the charge."
Payment can be made by midnight on the day of the journey or up to 90 days in advance but failing to pay on time could result in a penalty charge of £160, which can be reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
Drivers will now pay the ULEZ cost in addition to the weekday Congestion Charge, set at £11.50 for vehicles entering the zone between 07:00 and 18:00.
(£1 equals $1.31)