ULEZ hybrid cars
ULEZ hybrid cars are judged on the engine they carry. A petrol hybrid needs Euro 4, like any petrol car, and a diesel hybrid needs Euro 6.
Which hybrids pass?
The battery doesn’t change the answer. The petrol or diesel engine has to meet the standard on its own, as Birmingham’s zone rules put it.
| Hybrid | Standard | Usually passes from |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol hybrid, including self-charging | Euro 4 | 2006 (many from 2001) |
| Plug-in petrol hybrid | Euro 4 | 2006 |
| Diesel hybrid | Euro 6 | September 2015 |
| Mild hybrid | Same as its fuel | 2006 petrol, September 2015 diesel |
| Fully electric | None needed | Any year |
Older petrol hybrids
Petrol hybrids first registered from 2006 usually pass. An earlier one may still meet Euro 4, as many petrol cars from 2001 do, so check its plate with TfL.
Hybrids in Oxford and other zones
Oxford’s zero emission zone is different: every car that isn’t fully electric pays from 7am to 7pm. A hybrid under 75 g/km of CO2 pays £2 a day there, and most others pay £4.
Birmingham, Bristol and Scotland’s zones use the same Euro 4 and Euro 6 rule as London. Oxford’s zone in full.
Common questions
Is a Toyota Prius ULEZ compliant?
Usually, yes. Every Prius is a petrol hybrid, so it needs Euro 4, and those first registered from 2006 usually have it.
Do plug-in hybrids pay the Congestion Charge?
Yes. Only fully electric cars on Auto Pay get money off, 25%. A plug-in hybrid pays the full £18 a day.