The UK is cleaning up its transportation act with Clean Air Zones designed to reduce emissions in some of the nation’s most polluted city and improve air quality.
London has expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and more clean air-based initiatives have been rolled out across the country.
Read on to find out how clean air zones work, whether you’ll be affected by clean air zone charges and how switching to an electric vehicle can help.
Improving air quality in the UK
The domestic transport sector is a notorious polluter, emitting 122MtCO2e (million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year – that’s 27% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It’s also responsible for nitrogen dioxide and particulate pollution, which are especially dangerous to our health.
New research published in the European Heart Journal shows that the number of premature deaths caused by polluted air is actually double its previous estimate, while Public Health England estimates between 28,000 to 36,000 deaths per year can be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution.
These stats go some way to explain why both local and national governments are responding to air pollution with the introduction of Clean Air Zones (CAZs), which are basically areas that have been designated for targeted action to reduce transport emissions and make air quality improvements.
In brief, that means charging more polluting vehicles, such as petrol vehicles or those with diesel engines to encourage drivers to switch to cleaner vehicles.
Where are the Clean Air Zones?
So far, all of the Clean Air Zones are located within city centres. This is due to the high volume of internal combustion engine vehicles (and light goods vehicles) on the roads and their tailpipe emissions, which lead to concentrated levels of GHGs and particulates in surrounding areas.
Because cities are densely populated, this means that large amounts of people are being put at risk through exposure to air pollution.
Currently, Clean Air Zones or Ultra Low Emissions Zones are operational in the following cities:
- Bath has a Class C clean air zone.
- Birmingham has a Class D clean air zone.
- Bradford has a Class C clean air zone.
- Bristol has a Class D clean air zone.
- Portsmouth has a Class B clean air zone.
- Sheffield has a Class C clean air zone.
- Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) has a Class C clean air zone.
Some cities are still finalising plans for future Clean Air Zones, so for the most up-to-date information, please contact your local city council.
What are the types of Clean Air Zones?
The type of vehicle under scrutiny will vary according to the various classes of Clean Air Zones in effect.
Currently, there are four types of Clean Air Zones outlined, but it’s worth visiting your local authority’s website to find out any specific rulings on non compliant vehicles. If you don’t know what your vehicle’s emission standard is, you can find this information in your vehicle logbook, or via your manufacturer’s website.
- Class A – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles
- Class B – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles
- Class C – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses
- Class D – Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses, cars, the local authority has the option to include motorcycles
Is the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) a Clean Air Zone?
Yes. According to Transport for London (TfL), toxic air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to the health of Londoners, which is why Mayor of London Sadiq Khan introduced, and in 2023 expanded the London ULEZ, to cover the entire area of London within the North Circular and South Circular roads.
The charge is set at a standard £12.50 (although this varies depending on the vehicle), and is in effect 24-hours a day.
Vehicles affected include pre-Euro 6 emission diesels – generally vehicles built before 2016 – and pre-Euro 4 emission petrols. If you’re living in the London ULEZ, there has never been a better time to consider an electric car.
Is the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) a Clean Air Zone?
Yes. According to Transport for London (TfL), poor air quality is the biggest environmental risk to the health of Londoners, which is why Mayor of London Sadiq Khan introduced, and in 2023 expanded the London ULEZ, to cover the entire area of London within the North Circular and South Circular roads.
The charge is set at a standard £12.50 (although this varies depending on the vehicle), and is in effect 24-hours a day.
Vehicles affected include pre-Euro 6 emission diesels – generally vehicles built before 2016 – and pre-Euro 4 emission petrols. If you’re living in the London ULEZ, there has never been a better time to consider an electric car.
How will I know I’m entering a Clean Air Zone?
Road signage will notify you when you’re about to enter a Clean Air Zone. There are no toll booths within these zones, as number plate recognition cameras will record each vehicle that enters and leaves and check them against the DVLA database.
This database contains information about each car’s emissions output and will determine whether it meets the requirements. Within the designated zones, non compliant private vehicles requirements will be charged accordingly, and drivers will be sent a bill.
Which vehicles can travel within Clean Air Zones without paying?
Because electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions, they are likely to be exempt from any existing or incoming Clean Air Zone. In some regions, it may also be the case that ultra-low emission vehicles or those vehicles with significant zero-emission range are exempt from charges and restrictions, but it’s worth checking the specific rulings with your local authority.
Each vehicle type will have a minimum emission standard. You can find your vehicle’s emission standard in your vehicle log book, or get in touch with your vehicle manufacturer.
| Vehicle type | Clean Air Zone minimum standard |
| Buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles | Euro VI |
| Vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cars | Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol) |
| Motorcycles | Euro 3 |
How much will I be charged when entering a Clean Air Zone?
If you drive a vehicle that doesn’t meet emission standards into a Clean Air Zone, you could face a fee which must typically be paid within 24-hours of entering the zone. Paying later can often lead to a penalty charge notice and even fines.
Of course, this could create huge additional costs for businesses, with commuters facing charges of around £10 per day.
If you know that you’ll be driving through a zone and you want to check whether you need to pay a charge, you can use this service.
Are Clean Air Zones effective?
In a word – yes. Recent research shows that Clean Air Zones can help generate significant health and economic benefits by improve air quality.
A study conducted in Germany found a notable reduction in particulate matter in operational zones, and a study carried out in London similarly found that particulate matter and noxious gases were greatly reduced after these initiatives were introduced.
Simply put, mandating cleaner air and removing polluting vehicles from city centres is good for the health of the general public.
Could it be time you made the switch to an electric car?
The future of transport – especially urban transport – is electric, and electric vehicle drivers have the huge advantage of being able to drive into Clean Air Zones and the London Congestion Zone without incurring any charges.
This represents a huge financial saving for drivers and businesses, in addition to the other cost advantages like minimal servicing and lower energy costs.
