Low emissions zones and cost savings
Low Emissions Zones (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) are rolling out across the UK, with existing zones in London, Glasgow, Bath and Birmingham and potential zones being planned for Bradford, Bristol, Manchester, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.
London
London’s Low Emission Zone is designed to penalise the highest polluting, heavy diesel vehicles (HGVs etc) and encourage cleaner vehicles to travel through the capital.
Low Emissions Zones, London
The Low Emissions Zone covers the vast majority of Greater London whereas the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone is in place for Central London and operates 24 hours a day. Below, you can see a map of London's low emission zones.
Ultra-Low Emissions and Congestion Zone, London
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is a defined area in central London where most vehicles are required to meet strict emission standards or face a daily charge. The ULEZ is designed to reduce toxic air pollution by encouraging the use of cleaner, greener vehicles that emit fewer harmful emissions. The ULEZ is part of our wider efforts to reduce air pollution in London, which is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the city.
The ULEZ came into effect on 8 April 2019, and covers the same area as the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in central London. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. Vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards will have to pay a daily charge to drive within the ULEZ.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will help to reduce air pollution in London by encouraging the use of cleaner, greener vehicles that emit fewer harmful emissions. The ULEZ will also encourage the uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles, which emit zero or low emissions. By reducing the number of polluting vehicles on the roads, the ULEZ will help to improve air quality and reduce the negative impact of air pollution on our health and the environment.
London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone is also operational 24 hours a day, except Christmas Day. Large vehicles over 3.5 tonnes do not need to pay the ULEZ charge, but are required to pay any Low Emissions Zone charges.
These vehicles include HGV’s, Lorries, Gritters, Refuse Collection Vehicles, Concrete Mixers, Removal Lorries and Tippers. You can check whether you need to pay any LEZ, ULEZ or Congestion Charges during your journey.
Most vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards will be affected by the ULEZ. This includes cars, vans, motorcycles, and lorries. Vehicles that meet the required emissions standards will not have to pay the daily charge to drive within the ULEZ.
Daily ULEZ charge (between midnight and midnight): £12.50
London also has a congestion zone which covers Central London only and is operational between 7am - 6pm, Monday to Friday and 12pm – 6pm, Saturday, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Daily Congestion Zone charge: £15.00
Glasgow Low Emission Zone
Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is a designated area in a city where high-polluting vehicles are restricted or banned. LEZs are implemented to improve air quality by reducing emissions from vehicles. They are becoming increasingly popular in many cities worldwide due to the negative impact of air pollution on public health and the environment.
LEZ can play a significant role in reducing pollution by restricting or banning high-polluting vehicles. The restriction or ban on high-polluting vehicles can lead to a reduction in emissions, which can have a positive impact on air quality.
LEZ can also promote the use of public transport, cycling, and walking, which can lead to a reduction in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. LEZ can also encourage the use of low-emission vehicles, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, which can lead to a further reduction in emissions.
Currently, Glasgow’s Low Emissions Zone only applies to local bus services, but in 2023 when phase 2 is rolled out, all vehicles travelling through the city centre must meet the emission requirements or pay the penalty. Exempt vehicles include motorcycles, mopeds, vehicles driven by disabled persons, emergency vehicles, military vehicles and historic vehicles.
The LEZ will fall within the boundary of the River Clyde, the M8 Motorway and High Street/Saltmarket.
When the Low Emissions Zone is introduced, it will be in force 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Daily LEZ charge (between midnight and midnight): £60
Bath Low Emission Zone
The Bath Clean Air Zone was originally planned to be launched in November 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation was delayed. It has now been launched on the 15th of March, 2021.
The Bath Clean Air Zone operates by charging higher polluting vehicles to enter the designated area. Vehicles are charged based on their emission levels, with higher polluting vehicles being charged more. The zone operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and vehicles that do not meet the emission standards are required to pay a daily charge to enter the zone.
The Bath Clean Air Zone affects all drivers who enter the designated area, with some exemptions for certain types of vehicles. Private cars, motorcycles, and mopeds are not charged, but higher polluting vehicles such as buses, coaches, and lorries are charged based on their emission levels. Taxis and private hire vehicles are also charged, but there are grants available to help them upgrade to cleaner vehicles.
If your vehicle meets either petrol Euro 4 or diesel Euro 6, you are exempt from daily charges. Buses, coaches, HGV, vans, taxis and private hire vehicles must meet Euro 6 to be exempt from daily charges.
Electric vehicles, disabled passenger tax class vehicle, military vehicles and historic vehicles are also exempt from Clear Air Zone charges as well as local vehicles owned by emergency services, council teams and NHS trusts.
Daily LEZ charge (between midnight and midnight): £9 for taxis, vans and motorhomes/ £100 for HGVs, coaches and buses
Birmingham Low Emission Zone
The Clean Air Zone is an initiative introduced by Birmingham City Council to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality in the city. This zone covers the city centre and some surrounding areas, where drivers of high-polluting vehicles are required to pay a daily charge to enter.
Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone applies to the city centre, Digbeth, Jewellery Quarter, as well as parts of Bordesley and Newtown. This will apply to buses, coaches, HGVs, vans, minibuses, taxis and private hire vehicles, whereas cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.
Vehicles travelling into this zone will be required to meet Euro 4 emissions standards for petrol and Euro 6 emissions for petrol, otherwise the congestion charge will apply.
This includes:
- Diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 standards
- Petrol vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 standards
- Non-compliant vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes
Electric vehicles are exempt from the congestion charge as well as taxi drivers, emergency vehicles, historic vehicles and military vehicles.
Daily LEZ charge (between midnight and midnight): £8 for cars, £50 for buses, HGVs and coaches
How to avoid the daily charges?
If you regularly travel into the city centre where a Clean Air Zone, the most cost-effective way is to purchase a vehicle that meets the Euro 4 or Euro 6 emission standards. Speak to the team here at Warrington Isuzu, who would be happy to help you find the right vehicle for you.
Low emission zone cameras
Areas with low emission zones have ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras installed which monitor all vehicles driving into a low emission zone. Owners of vehicles that don't comply with the low emissions regulations will receive a PCN (penalty charge notice).
For example, penalty charge notices for driving in London's low emission zone is up to £2,000 (or £1,000 if paid within 14 days). Penalty charges for ULEZ in London are cheaper at £160 (or £80 if paid within 14 days).
If you want to talk to Warrington Isuzu about low emission trucks that are exempt from the emission zone charges, get in touch online through one of our methods.