With cities introducing charging zones for the most polluting vehicles, and some omitting carbon dioxide emitting vehicles altogether, it’s the best time to be driving a zero emitting electric vehicle. Not only are you exempt from paying charges, but you have peace of mind that your vehicle will be compliant with any future city plans.
What is a clean air zone?
A CAZ defines an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality in a way that delivers improved health benefits and supports economic growth. This can include a city, area or road in which vehicles can be charged or fined for entering.
Ultra-low emission zones
The ULEZ replaced the T-Charge in London on 8 April 2019. Drivers entering the capital in vehicles that don’t comply with new emissions standards will have to pay a fee 24 hours a day, 7 days a week every day of the year.
Clean Air Zone (CAZ) roll-out
The planned roll-out of CAZs in UK cities including Manchester and Leeds has been delayed until at least January 2021. Oxford is also delaying its zero-emission zone.
Birmingham and Bath have recently announced the start dates for charging in their Clean Air Zones.
Bath – 15th March 2021
- Vans, taxis and minibuses will be charged £9 per day
- HGVs, coaches and buses will be charged £100 per day
Birmingham – 1st June 2021
- Cars, taxis and vans are to be charged £8 per day
- HGVs, coaches and buses will be charged £50 per day
Charges only apply to those vehicles that don’t comply to the emissions standards, pre-Euro 6 for diesel vehicles and pre-Euro 4 for petrol vehicles. Other cities introducing CAZs include Nottingham, Derby and Southampton.
Cities have developed their own approaches to clean air zones that vary from traffic management measures in Derby to a total ban during the day on privately owned diesel vehicles in Bristol. Industry bodies have welcomed the move and asked that the delay be used to create a more joined-up approach to air quality measures.
You can check clean air plans for your location on the map below or at the BVRLA website.
Find out more about London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.