Transport for London (TfL) has demanded £1bn from several major carmakers, alleging they rigged emissions data to let vehicles slip into the capital’s clean‑air zone without paying. The High Court heard TfL’s claims of fraud and negligence against Stellantis, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan.

The dispute centres on the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which levies a £12.50 daily charge on cars that fail the air‑quality test. Introduced in 2019 and expanded to all of Greater London in 2023, the scheme underpins Mayor Sadiq Khan’s push to reduce pollution.

TfL says diesel vehicles entered the Ulez without paying, starving the authority of revenue and undermining its air‑quality goals. The claim is linked to a separate lawsuit over defeat devices that tampered with nitrogen‑oxide tests; a judge recently ruled largely in favour of the carmakers.

Carmakers deny misleading regulators, calling TfL’s allegations damaging and demanding details. TfL sought further time to serve its claim, but the court set a deadline of October. The outcome will shape the future of London’s clean‑air strategy.