700,000 more drivers are about to find themselves falling under low emission zone rules, meaning they will have to pay £12.50 a day if they want to drive through the area. But the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in Greater London, coming in August, is far from the only anti-pollution 'tax' for drivers across the country.
A Low Emissions Zone, often referred to as a LEZ or sometimes a CAZ (clean air zone), is an area that drivers of more polluting vehicles must pay to drive through. The aim is to encourage drivers to use newer, less polluting vehicles or make the switch to public transport, reports CarWow.
According to the RAC, Government ministers were ordered by the Supreme Court to deliver measures aimed at tackling the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air, following pressure from environmental groups.
In 2019, a Public Health England (PHE) report estimated that between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year in the UK are attributed to long-term exposure to poor air quality.
It is hoped that each CAZ will contribute to the UK’s compliance with the EU’s clean air directive and will reduce levels of pollution.
Here are where you will find the UK's LEZ and CAZ roads, compiled by CarWow, and what the rules mean for you.
London
The Ultra-Low Emissions Zone is currently limited to the area within London’s North and South Circular roads, but Mayor Sadiq Khan has decided to expand it to cover the whole of the capital from the end of August, claiming this will boost air quality.
Most diesel cars registered before September 2015 and petrol cars registered prior to January 2006 are liable for the charge.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures obtained by the RAC show that 691,559 licensed cars in the whole of London fall into one of those categories.
This does not take into account other vehicles such as vans and lorries, or vehicles which enter London from neighbouring counties such as Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and Kent.
Vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ requirements are required to pay a charge. This is £12.50 for cars, motorcycles and vans, and £100 for heavier vehicles, including lorries over 3.5 tonnes, plus buses and coaches over 5 tonnes. Congestion Charge fees continue to apply to all vehicles, however. Petrol cars not meeting Euro 4 standards and diesels not meeting Euro 6 rules must pay the fee if they enter the ULEZ.
The second London emission zone is the Low Emission Zone, or LEZ. This covers most of greater London, but it only applies to HGVs, buses and coaches – not cars.
Birmingham
Birmingham’s CAZ became operational in 2021 and covers all roads within the Middleway Ring Road. It works under similar rules to London’s ULEZ, operating 24 hours a day and seeing more polluting cars (pre Euro 4 petrols and pre Euro 6 diesels) charged £8 to drive in the zone, while non-compliant buses and lorries pay £50.
Bristol
Bristol’s CAZ came into force on 28 November 2022, and sees drivers of more polluting cars charged if they enter areas of the city centre. As with London’s ULEZ, it affects pre-Euro 4 petrol cars and pre-Euro 6 diesels, which have to pay £9 to enter the zone. Non-compliant taxis and light vans face the same charge, while HGVs and buses pay £100.
Oxford
Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone is very small, covering some or all of nine streets in the city centre, with all private cars other than electric ones having to pay £2 to £10 to enter the zone. More polluting cars (EG non Euro 6 diesels) pay the higher charges.
Glasgow
Glasgow city centre was the first area in Scotland to have a low emission zone introduced, and came into effect on December 31, 2018. All vehicles will need to meet certain emissions standards to be able to enter the zone from June 2023.
Bath
Bath launched its Clean Air Zone in March 2021. It doesn’t yet affect private cars and motorbikes, though business-use vehicles like taxis and HGVs have to pay a fee if they don’t meet emissions standards.
Bradford
Bradford’s clean air zone doesn’t apply to cars, only taxis, lorries and other commercial vehicles. Taxis pay £7 to enter the zone, with HGVs and buses paying £50.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s CAZ covers a small area of Portsea island. Taxis that don’t meet the respective Euro standards must pay £10 a day to enter the zone, with HGCs and buses paying £50. Private cars are not affected.
Manchester
A proposal was made for a Clean Air Zone across Greater Manchester, which had initially been planned to be introduced in May 2022. This was put on hold during the pandemic after lockdown reduced the amount of traffic on the roads. In January 2023, the Government asked for additional evidence to support Greater Manchester’s case for a non-charging Clean Air Plan.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen introduced a Low Emissions Zone in May 2022, and charging will start in May 2024. The following cars will be prohibited from entering the zone:
- A pre-Euro VI diesel car (generally those registered before 2015)
- A pre-Euro IV petrol car (generally those registered before 2006)
Dundee
Similarly to Aberdeen, Dundee City Council’s LEZ was introduced in 2022, though it will not be enforced until May 2024.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s LEZ follows the same rules as the two cities above, with enforcement due to begin in June 2024.
Newcastle and Gateshead
Newcastle City Council introduced its CAZ in October 2022, and began to charge drivers from January 2023. It covers the city centre and routes over the River Tyne, including the Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges.
Not all vehicles are affected. You will not be charged if you are driving a:
- private car
- motorbike
- vehicle that meets minimum emissions standards
Sheffield
Like other CAZ, Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone won’t affect private vehicles for the time being — though older taxis, vans and large vehicles will be subject to a charge for entering the zone, which will begin operating in June, 2023. LGVs and taxis will have to pay £10 a day, with coaches, buses and HGVs subject to a £50 fee.
