Surprise! London’s tax on polluting cars made everyone much healthier (updated)

The city of London has released a report showing drastic drops in air pollution since it expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone, an area within the city where polluting vehicles must pay a fee to visit.

(Update 8/19/26, original article 5/15/25: A new study shows that children in London have significantly better lung function than before the zone was implemented, just as the UK government considers loosening pollution rules)