Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), also known as Clean Air Zones (CAZ), are being rolled out across the UK. At the start of 2022, a number of Scottish cities introduced Low Emission Zones for passenger cars, too.
In some cases, lorries, buses and vans are being targeted first, with passenger cars excluded until a later date. Yet, it will merely be a matter of time before these measures are standardised and extended across all vehicle types. As a van driver, what does ULEZ mean and what are the implications for you?
What is an Ultra Low Emission Zone?
Low Emission and Ultra Low Emission Zones are central city areas, where authorities are working to reduce the pollution by imposing a charge on vehicles that don’t meet particular criteria.
The zones are divided into four classes, where A affects buses, coaches, taxis and private-hire vehicles, B affects those plus HGVs, C includes Class B vehicles plus vans and minibuses and D affects all vehicles including motorcycles.
A: Buses, coaches, taxis, private-hire vehicles
B: Buses, coaches, taxis, private-hire vehicles, HGVs
C: Buses, coaches, taxis, private-hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses
D: Buses, coaches, taxis, private-hire vehicles, HGVs, vans, minibuses, plus motorcycles
In an ultra-low emission zone, your van engine needs to be Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) compliant. Euro 6 was introduced in 2015, so many van owners will already have a vehicle that complies with this.
However, van owners with non-compliant vehicles will be liable for the charge. Anticipating a future date at which changes include all non-electrified vehicles, many van owners and operators may be best turning to electric vans sooner rather than later since they are exempt from charges. Though to be clear, diesel and petrol vans that are ULEZ-compliant don’t need to pay anything at present.
What are the charges?
The charge in London is £12.50, though some cities aren’t at the point of charging drivers just yet. There’s more about each of the following city’s regulations below: Aberdeen, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greater Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, London, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and York.
What are the penalties for not paying a ULEZ charge?
If these charges aren’t paid, penalties can be significant amounts. Transport For London (TFL), for instance, imposes a heavy £160 penalty for unpaid entry to the ULEZ.
However, in London’s case at least, you have until midnight of the third day after entering the zone to pay, while in Birmingham you can pay six days either side of your visit without a fine. Check out the individual locations below for each area’s criteria.
How do I know if I’m driving into a ULEZ?
In city centres operating a ULEZ, road signs clearly demarcate where the ULEZ starts. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are used to track which vehicles cross into the line. Be aware, even if you drive into one accidentally, turn around and leave, you’ll still incur the charge.
Fines can get especially pricey if you’re driving a hire vehicle, since the company receiving notice of the fine, as the vehicle’s registered keeper, will add an admin charge to you as well as passing on the penalty incurred.
Why are Clean Air Zones being introduced?
It’s all about reducing air pollution. European emission standards on light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are tiered 1-6 for both petrol and diesel engines. Euro 6 engines have to meet emission standards not only on carbon dioxide (CO2), but also nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (THC, NMHC) and particulate matter (PM).
Particulate matter, or soot, is especially nasty, since it is the emission identified as the most irritating to those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD. London’s air quality ranks among the worst in Europe and the increase in respiratory issues is now linked to deaths.
Are there other exemptions if I don’t drive electric yet?
With their zero-emissions credentials, both battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCV) are eligible for exemption. LPG-powered vehicles are not, given their emissions.
However, vehicles with disabled passenger tax classification, military vehicles, classic cars and vehicles modified and approved by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) are exempt from the charge nationally. There are additional local exemptions, which local authorities can choose,
For example, emergency service vehicles, gritters, snow ploughs, vulnerable community users (such as wheelchair-accessible taxis), blue badge holders and NHS community workers and voluntary services.
In a bid to support low-income families, some local authorities (Bristol, for instance) also extend exemptions to drivers based on their annual household income.
See below for a more comprehensive look at each area’s local exemptions.
Buyer’s considerations
There are some incentives available to van owner operators and smaller businesses trying to make the switch to electric. Low Emission Zones Scotland is offering a cash grant of up to £2,500.
List of Low Emission Zones and Ultra Low Emission Zones
Aberdeen
View the zone: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/roads-transport-and-parking/low-emission-zone
Hours of operation: Aberdeen introduced its zone in 2022, but is currently operating a grace period, where van drivers entering the LEZ won’t be fine. Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charge: Unknown. In June 2024, however, the zone and respective penalties will come into full force.
How to pay: n/a
Aberdeen’s exemptions: Nationally applied ones. This period of consultation enables the authorities to work out if anything else needs introducing locally.
Fine: As yet, unknown.
Bath
View the zone: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/view-map-baths-clean-air-zone
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charge: £9
How to pay: online or by phone on 0300 029 888 (Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 16:30)
Bath’s exemptions: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/get-exemption-or-discount-baths-clean-air-zone
Fine: The penalty is £120 plus the charge, reducing to £60 plus the charge, if paid within 14 days.
Birmingham
View the zone: https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk/info/25/welcome-2/1/welcome-1/2
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charge: £8 for non-compliant vehicles
How to pay: the government’s online payment system or by calling the National Contact Centre on 0300 029 8888 (8am to 4:30pm), the day of your visit, or 6 days before or after.
Birmingham’s exemptions: https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk/exemptions-and-additional-support
Fine: The penalty is £120
Bradford
View the zone: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/where-is-the-clean-air-zone/where-is-the-clean-air-zone/
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week Bradford has introduced the zone, but has not yet implemented charging.
Charge: no charge for private cars, £9 for LGVs (once fully active)
How to pay: n/a
Bradford’s exemptions: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/breathe-better-bradford/what-help-is-available/exemptions/
Fine: n/a
Brighton
Unusually, Brighton’s LEZ only operates in a very specific location and applies only to public buses.
View the zone: Western Road and North Street
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Charge: n/a
How to pay: n/a
Brighton’s exemptions: Some low-use bus routes, and breakdown recovery services.
Fine: n/a
Bristol
View the zone: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz/view-map
Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, beginning on 28th November 2022
Charge: £9
How to pay: n/a
Bristol’s exemptions: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/bristol-caz/exemptions
Fine: n/a
Dundee
View the zone:
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round.
Charge: There will be a grace period of two years before the zone takes full effect on 30th May 2024
How to pay: n/a
Dundee’s exemptions: Those nationally applied.
Fine: £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days
Edinburgh
View the zone: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/14850/low-emission-zone-for-edinburgh
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: n/a
How to pay: n/a
Edinburgh’s exemptions: In line with those laid out by the Scottish government, which fall in with the national exemptions for the UK.
Fine: £60, reduced by 50% if it is paid within 14 days
Glasgow
View the zone: https://www.lowemissionzones.scot/local-zones/glasgow
Hours of operation: The first phase, currently in operation, only affects buses. The second phase has been postponed due to the pandemic
Charge: n/a
How to pay: n/a
Glasgow’s exemptions: In line with those laid out by the Scottish government, which fall in with the national exemptions for the UK.
Fine: n/a
Greater Manchester
View the zone: Introduced on 30 May 2022
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: £10 for vans, minibuses (effective from 1 June 2023)
How to pay: n/a
Greater Manchester’s exemptions: National exemptions apply, plus if a vehicle is subject to outstanding finance or lease on the date at which the charges apply. May change, keep checking back.
Fine: n/a
Leeds
View the zone: Update: Leeds will no longer be introducing a Clean Air Zone. Reportedly fleets have switched to cleaner vehicles faster than the City council was expecting. It has repurposed the funding from central government to support businesses making the switch.
Leicester
View the zone: Leicester’s CAZ was planned for summer 2021, but was delayed as significant improvements to the air quality have been made.
London
View the zone: The area now includes all roads within the North and South Circular Roads https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-where-and-when?intcmp=52227#on-this-page-0
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: £12.50
How to pay: A daily charge is applicable for each day the vehicle is driven within the zone and does not meet the required emissions standards. The charging day operates from midnight to midnight. Charges apply every day of the year including weekends and public holidays.
• Pay online: you can pay by credit or debit card online;
• Pay by phone with a credit card or debit card by calling 0343 222 111. The line is open Monday to Friday:08:00-20:00, and is closed on weekends and bank holidays. Calling from outside the UK is: +44 343 222 1111.
Payment can be made up to 90 days in advance of the day of travel, on the day of travel, or up to midnight on the first working day after driving in the zone.
London’s exemptions: The nationally applied exemptions, plus others https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions
Fine: £160, dropping to £80 if paid within 14 days
Newcastle
View the zone: Not due to start charging until 30 January 2023, Newcastle’s Clean Air Zone cameras were switched on in October 2022 – a month ahead of expectation and met with some confusion. The road signage – some 43 warning signs and 38 cameras around the CAZ’s boundaries – has been installed without a notice that charges don’t yet apply.
The cameras have began picking up vehicles eligible for the charge from January 2023. In the interim, owners of heavily polluting vehicles, including vans, will be sent a letter notifying them of the impending charges.
Hours of operation:24/7, all year round, from January 2023
Charge: Non-compliant vans and taxis will pay £12.50 per day, while lorries, buses and coaches will pay £50. Private cars will be exempt.
How to pay: n/a
Newcastle’s exemptions: The national exemptions, plus classic cars, military vehicles, emergency services, Motability cars, vintage buses, private vehicles at present and motor caravans.
Fine: Has yet to be confirmed.
Norwich
View the zone: The scheme currently applies to local buses.
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Nottingham
View the zone: The scheme currently applies to local buses.
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Oxford
View the zone: The scheme currently applies to local buses.
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Portsmouth
View the zone: https://cleanerairportsmouth.co.uk/
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: No charge for vans at present
How to pay: n/a
Portsmouth’s exemptions:
Payments can be made on the central government website. You will be able to pay the CAZ charge up to 6 days in advance of entering the zone, and you have up to 6 days after. You will not receive a reminder that you’ve entered the CAZ and need to pay a charge so it is important that you check if you will need to pay on the Cleaner Air Portsmouth website.
Fine: £120, plus the original charge
Sheffield
View the zone: Has not yet been implemented. A decision is expected in late 2022.
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: £10 per day
How to pay: Once in force, payment must be made via the Government’s online payment system or by calling the National Contact Centre on 0300 029 8888 (8am to 4:30pm) 6 days before, or after, or the day of your visit
Sheffield’s exemptions: National ones, plus the standard regional ones, such as emergency services and Motability, also those people living or working in the CAZ on a lower income, businesses based in the CAZ, hospital workers and patients.
Fine: £120
York
View the zone: Since January 2021 a zone has operated for buses.
Hours of operation: 24/7, all year round
Charge: n/a
How to pay: n/a
York’s exemptions: Buses entering the zone less than five times a day
Fine: n/a
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