TfL seeks £1bn from carmakers over Ulez compliance
Transport for London alleges that manufacturers made false representations regarding diesel emissions, depriving the capital of revenue.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Trust 70: named barrister and TfL spokesperson, plus FT source and figures with origins, but lacks specific date.
Higher is stronger
Critic 95: explains relevance, quotes both sides, provides specific data, outlines next steps, and is clearly written.
Higher is stronger
Hype 15: measured language, no clickbait, headline matches article content.
Lower is better
Transport for London is pursuing a potential £1bn legal action against car manufacturers over vehicles it argues should not have been allowed to drive freely in the capital’s clean-air zone. The agency alleges that polluting diesel vehicles were able to enter the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) without paying the required levy. This scheme, which launched in 2019, expanded to cover every London borough in 2024.
Allegations of negligence and fraud
London ULEZ fines drop 13.9% to 1.68 million
Transport for London issued over 1.6 million penalty notices in the 2025-2026 financial year, a decrease from the previous year.
The High Court heard that TfL is making allegations of fraud and negligence against several manufacturers, including Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Nissan. Lawyers for TfL argue that vehicles which should have been subject to the £12.50 daily charge entered the zone without paying. This has deprived TfL of revenue and undermined efforts to improve air quality across the capital.
The representations were false, made dishonestly or recklessly, alternatively negligently, and caused TfL loss
Laurence Page, TfL barrister
Impact of parallel litigation
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The legal proceedings were paused following a recent verdict in a parallel dieselgate case. That litigation sought to prove manufacturers used devices to mask nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution levels. While the High Court recently rejected most allegations in that case, lawyers are currently considering an appeal. TfL has been granted a stay on its own claim until October while those separate claims proceed.
Lawyers representing the carmakers stated that TfL's claims carry potentially far-reaching consequences but argued that the agency has provided no proper details or particulars. A TfL spokesperson said the Ulez remains a key mechanism for improving air quality in London. The court indicated that the current claims will remain stayed while vehicle owners pursue separate claims against manufacturers.
Questions this report answers
+How much is Transport for London seeking from carmakers?
Transport for London is seeking up to £1bn in damages from car manufacturers. This claim follows allegations that certain diesel vehicles entered the Ulez without paying the £12.50 daily charge, depriving the capital of revenue.
+Which car manufacturers are being targeted by TfL?
The lawsuit targets manufacturers including BMW, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover and Stellantis. TfL alleges that these companies made false representations regarding diesel emissions, allowing polluting vehicles to enter the Ulez without paying the required levy.
+Why has the legal claim been paused?
The legal claim has been paused because a High Court stay was granted until October while related litigation continues. This stay follows a recent verdict in a parallel dieselgate case, where most allegations were rejected, though an appeal is being considered.
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