Complete guide to city pollution charges in the UK
Why are some cities introducing charges for vehicles to enter?
To improve air quality, some local authorities are introducing charges for the most polluting vehicles to enter a designated boundary. IAM RoadSmart gives you the run down.
What are these charge zones called?
In England, they are Clean Air Zones, in Scotland, they are Low Emission Zones and in London it is the Ultra-Low Emission Zone. As of 2023, there are no such zones in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Will my vehicle be affected?
It depends on the Euro emissions standard of your vehicle and the type of zone the vehicle is entering. Some vehicles are exempt from charges though you should check individual authorities as these may differ by charging zone. The minimum vehicle standards are below.
Type of vehicle Minimum standard required
Cars, private hire vehicles, taxis, minibuses and vans - Euro 6 (diesel); Euro 4 (petrol)
Buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles - Euro VI
Motorcycles Euro 3 - Euro 3
Types of Zone
Not all zones are the same. Some will include non-compliant cars within scope, while others focus on other vehicle types. This is explained below, and each clean air zone has its own class.
|
Clean air zone class |
Vehicle types that will be charged if they do not meet minimum emissions standards above |
|
A |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles |
|
B |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles |
|
C |
Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses |
|
D |
Cars Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses |
City-by-city guide
London
Type: Ultra low emission zone
Status: Live
Class: Effectively Class D
Zone area: To north & south circular until August 2023; whole of greater London from August 2023.
Cost for non-compliant cars: £12.50 a day
Aberdeen
Type: Low emissions zone
Status: Starts June 1 2024
Class: Effectively Class D
Zone area: A full map can be found here
Cost for non-compliant cars: non-compliant cars are prohibited and face a penalty charge notice of £60
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle type
Bath
Type: Clean air zoneClass: Class C
Zone area: See map
Cost for non-compliant cars: No charge
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Birmingham
Type: Clean air zone
Status: Live
Class: Class D
Zone area: Travelling within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself)
Cost for non-compliant cars: £8 a day
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Bradford
Status: Live
Class: Class C
Zone area: Central Bradford and sections of Shipley
Cost for non-compliant cars: No charge
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Bristol
Status: Live
Class: Class D
Zone area: Mostly central Bristol but full map here
Cost for non-compliant cars: No charge
Cost for non-compliant cars: £9 a day
Dundee
Status: Enforced from May 30th 2024
Class: Effectively Class D
Zone area: The Dundee LEZ Scheme includes an area within the A991 Inner Ring Road, excluding the Bell Street, West Marketgait NCP. See map
Non-compliant cars are prohibited and face a penalty charge notice of £60
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Edinburgh
Status: Enforcement starts June 1st 2024
Class: Effectively Class D
Zone area: A large area of central Edinburgh. See map here
Non-compliant cars are prohibited and face a penalty charge notice of £60
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Glasgow
Status: Live
Class: Effectively Class D
Zone area: Area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/High Street to the east. See here
Cost for non-compliant cars: non-compliant cars are prohibited and face a penalty charge notice of £60
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Greater Manchester
Status: Under review
Class: Tbc
Zone area: Greater Manchester
Cost for non-compliant cars: No charges yet planned
Costs for non-compliant vehicles - TBC
Newcastle and Gateshead
Type: Clean air zoneClass: Class C
Zone area: The zone covers most of Newcastle city centre as well as routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh Bridges. See map
Portsmouth
Status: Live
Class: Class B
Zone area: See map here
Cost for non-compliant cars: No charges
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
Sheffield
Status: Live
Class: Class c
Zone area: The Clean Air Zone covers the inner ring road and city centre. See map
Costs for non-compliant other vehicle types
