Clean air zones - what you need to know
With the introduction of numerous additional Clean Air Zones (CAZ) across the UK becoming increasingly likely, it is now more important than ever to consider the use of alternatively fuelled vehicles. We have pulled together the latest updates on CAZs across the UK.
By the end of 2019 there were 10,843 electric or alternatively fuelled vans in circulation in the UK. The increasing number of plans for Clean Air Zones and similar access-restrictive air quality schemes across the UK sees the demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles rapidly rising and the cost implications for drivers and fleets increasing.
We have looked at the latest information on these planned schemes in a run down by city below. In the following updates, charging scheme classifications are also referred to.
CAZ charging scheme classifications:
- Class A - Buses, coaches, taxis and PHVs
- Class B - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and HGVs
- Class C - Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans
- Class D – Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs, vans and cars
1st March 2021- London LEZ
There has been a tightening up of the Greater London Low Emission Zone. All HGVs, buses and coaches are now included with vehicles required to meet the Euro 6 emission standards. Vehicles should not emit more than 75g/Km CO2 to be eligible for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.
15th March 2021 – Bath
Class C buses, coaches, taxi’s, PHVs, HGVs and vans will be affected by this update which includes the city centre zone, A4 and A36. Non-compliant HGVs will be required to pay £100 to enter the zone, whilst non-compliant vans will be charged £9.
Vehicles entering this zone in bath have been monitored via ANPR since 1st December 2020, but daily charges will not be implemented until after March 15th.
1st June 2021 – Birmingham
The restrictions will cover all roads within the A4540 Middleway ring road and will impact Class D vehicles which covers buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs, vans and cars. Non-compliant cars, taxis, and vans will pay £8 per day and HGVs, coaches and buses will pay £50 per day.
Prior to the Clean Air Zone going live, early notice letters will be sent out throughout May 2021 to drivers who have driven within the A4540 Middleway in vehicles that will be charged once the Clean Air Zone is launched. These letters will warn motorists that from 1st June 2021, if they drive through the Clean Air Zone in that same non-compliant vehicle, they will be subject to charges.
The letter will include details of how and when payments will need to be made in the future. If you or one of your drivers has received an Early Notice Letter advising that one of your vehicles will be subject to daily charges.
25th October 2021 – London ULEZ Expansion
The expansion for London covers inner London between, but not including, the North and South Circulars. HGV’s, buses, vans, and cars with diesel engines will need to meet Euro 6. All petrol vans and cars will need to meet Euro 4 and all motorbikes Euro 3.
Also, from this date only pure electric vehicles will be eligible for the CVD. All other vehicles regardless of their emission status will have to pay the congestion charge.
29th November 2021 - Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council are going to implement a class B CAZ in November 2021, which will impact coaches, buses, HGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles. The CAZ will cover an area focused around the city centre and south-west of Portsea Island.
CAZ Schemes still in development:
Sheffield
The planned zone includes the inner ring road and will impact Class C buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans. Daily fees look to be set at band C (£10 per day) and £50 for HGVs.
Newcastle, Gateshead, and North Tyneside
The city centre CAZ was planned for January 2021, but has been delayed. Plans show it will implement a Class C zone impacting buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans. Daily fees look to be set at £12.50 per day and £50 for HGVs. The councils are offering grants, subject to Government funding.
Bristol
Bristol’s CAZ is planned for the end of 2021 (October at the earliest) and will cover the city centre. Class D vehicles will be affected. More information will be available once the Government has confirmed its decision on the business case that was submitted.
Portsmouth
It has been confirmed that Portsmouth must implement a Class B clean Air Zone by November 2021. The CAZ will cover the city centre, impacting buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and vans. The proposal was submitted in 2020, and it is expected that a final decision will be made this spring.
Bradford
Bradford’s CAZ is expected for January 2022 and will include the city centre, including the outer ring road. Government funding will be available to support business.
Greater Manchester
Expected to start Spring 2022, this is a citywide CAZ affecting Class C vehicles but vans and minibuses will be except until 2023. The daily charge for HGVs will be £60 per day from 2022 with vans charged £10 per day from 2023.
Sefton (Merseyside)
This scheme is not yet determined, but is expected to impact Class B vehicles.
Basildon
Councils are opposed to a CAZ and the current plans being discussed are around a speed limit reduction on the A127 and new proposals for a pedestrian and cyclist crossing scheme.
Slough
A potential CAZ for Slough is currently undergoing a feasibility study.
Heathrow Airport
Initial proposals mirror the ULEZ requirements already in place in London (Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel) seeing potential charges between £10 to £15 affecting passenger cars and PHVs entering car parks and drop off areas within Heathrow’s terminals.
Leicester City
Leicester City Council is in the process of agreeing its final business plan with the Joint Air Quality Unit and is no longer proposing a CAZ in its recommended plan. However, this still needs to be agreed with the Secretary of State.
Cities opting not to implement CAZ Schemes:
The following cities are looking to implement schemes, but have chosen not to go with CAZ.
- Derby
- Coventry
- Leeds
- Middlesbrough
- Nottingham
- Southampton
Wales
Wales has published A Clean Air Plan which will mainly focus on cars, taxis, and buses and, as well as speed limit changes, does include plans to revisit CAZ in Wales. The plan includes a CAZ framework to be published in a white paper in Spring 2021 and Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) policy changes by 2023.
Scotland
Plans to implement Low Emission Zones (LEZ) across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have been paused temporarily due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Unlike England, Scotland is looking at complete bans across it is LEZs, with no option for charges for non-compliant vehicles.
