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; Manchester and Bristol has been delayed until late 2021/2022. Oxford’s zero-emission zone is also in consultation. Their proposal is for a pilot zone in the city centre where only 100% emission free vehicles can travel through free of charge from 7am-7pm and is expected to start in August 2021.
The Leeds clean air zone is no longer required, and implementation has been indefinitely suspended.
Bradford, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside are all developing their approach with timescales to be confirmed.
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
London ULEZ expansion – 25th October 2021
The existing central London ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) will expand to create a single larger zone bounded by the North Circular Road (A406) and South Circular Road (A205). The North and South Circular Roads themselves are not included in the zone.
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.
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.