A smart new “hack” could keep vehicles from paying the £12.50 daily levy imposed by London’s newly extended Ultra Low Emission Zone.
The Ulez concept has now been expanded to encompass all London boroughs in Greater London, with Home Counties boundaries drawn along county lines.
With the expansion, some drivers who commute between home and London may now have to pay the £12.50 daily levy a few times a week.
Motorists who enter the zone with a non-compliant car even once a week will face a £650 fine.
To be compliant, a petrol vehicle must be registered after 2005, although a small number of vehicles made after 2001 are also eligible.
Diesel vehicles must meet Euro 6 standards, which require them to have been registered after September 2015.
Any motorists travelling into central London every weekday for a year will be charged around £3,250, as well as £3,900 from the Congestion Charge.
James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo, advised drivers that temporary car insurance could be the way forward to avoid the daily charge.
When commuting into Greater London, motorists may only need to use their cars for a few hours of the day, but rack up a hefty charge in the process.
By borrowing a friend or family member’s Ulez-compliant vehicle for a few hours a day or a few days of the month, potentially saving hundreds of pounds a year.
James Armstrong added: “People living in the expanded zone and nearby towns are understandably concerned with these new, extra costs for travelling into and around London by car.
“With these additional charges coming into effect and covering all of the Greater London boroughs, people are going to be forced to adapt their travel habits, with some being forced to give up driving altogether.
“Those who need to drive infrequently will be far better off getting one-day-cover and borrowing a mate’s car, rather than paying ULEZ charges or considering an expensive car upgrade.”
This does not only apply to those working in the capital, but those who may be moving house, running errands or visiting popular tourist attractions.
Places including Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium, Chessington World of Adventures and Heathrow Airport are now all included inside the expanded Ulez.
It is estimated that over 90 per cent of cars driving in outer London now meet Ulez standards, Transport for London statistics found.