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I need to replace my car as I live within the expanded ULEZ. Are there any new regulations coming up that should inform my decision?
I commute around 40 miles each day from South London to Surrey on a mixture of roads. I have a 2009 Audi Q5 2.0-litre diesel auto. It has served me well and now has 120,000 miles on the odometer. Unfortunately, I live within the expanded ULEZ. So from October this year, I will need to pay the daily charge. I need to change my car to something similar. I don't want to find myself in the same position in a few years where I need to change a perfectly good car due to new regulations. Should I buy a petrol car, a hybrid or a full EV? My budget is similar to what the Audi cost, so around £40k. I don't mind buying a nearly new/used car. Are you aware of any new regulations that may be on the horizon that should inform my decision?
Asked on 12 March 2021 by Vince
Answered by
Andrew Brady
Beyond the expanded ULEZ zone and the 2030 deadline for the sale of new petrol/diesel cars, we're not aware of any upcoming legislation changes. Any modern petrol, hybrid or even diesel car should be a safe purchase. Your choice comes down to personal preference, really, as any should be able to cope with an 80-mile round trip commute. Do you have off-road parking at home with access to electricity? If so, an electric car could work. £40,000 will get you a Volkswagen ID.3 with a range of up to 336 miles.
Will you have to pay the low emissions charge?
Use our ULEZ checker to find out if your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges. Simply enter your number plate into the Honest John ULEZ checker to see if you will have to pay to enter the London Ultra Low Emission Zone.
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