More than 40 per cent of drivers in London have seen their perception of the Ulez scheme change for the worse since the expansion of the zone last year.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) was expanded in August 2023 to include all of Greater London as Sadiq Khan continues to crack down on emissions in the capital.
Drivers of older petrol and diesel vehicles, which tend to be more polluting, will be charged £12.50 to travel inside the expanded zone.
However, new research has found that 41 per cent of London drivers said they had a stronger dislike for the zone since its expansion five months ago.
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The Ulez was expanded to cover all of Greater London in August 2023
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Over four in 10 drivers said their feelings didn’t change about the Ulez scheme since its expansion while 16 per cent said they had become more pro-Ulez.
Shockingly, a quarter of Londoners are so unhappy with the scheme that they approve of the vandalism of Ulez cameras found alongside roads in the capital.
Hundreds of instances of attacks or vandalism have been seen across London, headlined by the so-called “Blade Runners” who have stolen or damaged cameras and posted their exploits on social media.
Between April 1 and October 31 last year, the Metropolitan Police recorded 987 crimes relating to Ulez cameras, resulting in the arrest of a number of people.
The most significant piece of action against the scheme was seen in Sidcup in December when explosives were used to blow up a Ulez camera causing damage to a residential property and the arrest of two men.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford, commented on the research, saying that the amount of people supporting attacks on Ulez cameras was “surprising”.
He added: “Attitudes towards Ulez have certainly shifted negatively, as highlighted by growing dissatisfaction with the scheme and the surprisingly high level of sympathy for the vandalisation of Ulez cameras.
“With many people apparently being priced off the road by the charge, more financial help is clearly needed to help people replace their non-compliant vehicles.”
More than a fifth of motorists (22 per cent) have either sold or are planning to sell their vehicle in a bid to avoid paying the daily charge to drive inside the zone.
Motorists who live in other cities with Low Emission Zones and Clean Air Zones are also dissatisfied with the emissions-based charging schemes, with over half voicing their displeasure, compared to 41 per cent who approve them.
Over one-third of drivers who responded to the survey and live outside of the capital said they would not approve of the introduction of a Ulez-style Clean Air Zone in their town or city.
Greater Manchester is the only city in the country with outstanding plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone as it continues to work with the Government about suitable measures to protect motorists.
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Hundreds of Ulez cameras have been vandalised since the expansion
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Scottish drivers will see huge changes introduced in May and June this year with the launch of Low Emission Zones in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.