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 ▾
Only one named source (TfL spokesperson) and no independent corroboration.
Higher is stronger
Quotes affected parties but lacks clear separation of fact/comment.
Higher is stronger
Headline overstates potential damages without substantiation.
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 Assembly demands TfL oversight of driverless taxi trials
The London Assembly Transport Committee warns that central government is overriding devolved powers regarding autonomous vehicle testing.
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
TfL shoots 655 pigeons in two-year London Underground cull
Campaigners report 123 organised operations at stations including Stanmore, Hendon Central and Arnos Grove
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.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.
More Coverage in Transport & TfL
London Assembly demands TfL oversight of driverless taxi trials
TfL shoots 655 pigeons in two-year London Underground cull
Tube Disruptions Hit Barnet Commuters as Multiple Lines Suspended
