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Clean Air Zones (CAZ)
Clean air zones are areas that charge or penalise highly polluting vehicles based on their emissions levels.
These zones are implemented by local authorities in areas where air pollution levels have been identified as dangerous to health.
How do Clean Air Zones work?
CAZ rules differ from city to city but every zone is in operation 24/7, using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to check every vehicle driving in the zone to make sure appropriate fees are paid. These fees are separate from any congestion charges that may also apply and should be made using the relevant Government portal.
A vehicle will only be charged when its driving inside the zone, not if it’s parked up. If a vehicle is driven into a zone on Monday and then left parked up until Friday, the driver will only pay for Monday and Friday. Penalties are applied for non-payment.
Every vehicle type has a minimum emission standard – this can be found in a vehicle’s logbook. The vehicle must meet the minimum standard to avoid a fine when entering a CAZ.
| Vehicle Type | CAZ Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| Buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles | Euro 6 |
| Vans, minibuses, cars, private hire vehicles | Euro 6 (diesel) & Euro 4 (petrol) |
| Motorcycles | Euro 3 |
Clean Air Zone Categories
Clean Air Zone Categories
HGV customers are likely to be impacted by Categories B, C and D, depending on the type of vehicles they drive.
Your business customers can use the Government’s vehicle checker to check what charges are in place and how to pay the charge. There’s also information for businesses with multiple vehicles and contact details for more support.
Essentials Top Tip
Have you bookmarked these links in your browser?
Whether your business customers are looking to switch to EV, future-proof their fleet or just find the best vehicles for their area, sharing these links will give them the latest Government information.
Low Emission Vehicle Grants (lev) ending
The plug-in grant for cars has come to an end as the focus moves to improving electric vehicle charging. The Government will now concentrate funding on expanding the public charge point network as well as electric taxis, vans, trucks, motorcycles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
The grants available for Government approved, new, low-emission vans and trucks will continue until 2024/25.
Eligibility
Dealers and manufacturers can get a discount on the price of brand-new low-emission vehicles through a government grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant.
Small Trucks
Vehicles gross weight must be between 4,250kg and 12,000kg.
- CO2 emissions of at least 50% less than the equivalent conventional Euro VI vehicle with the same capacity
- Capable of at least 96km (60 miles) emission-free travel
LEV Grant covers 20% of the purchase price to a maximum of £16,000.
Large Trucks
Vehicle gross weight above 12,000kg.
- CO2 emissions of at least 50% less than the equivalent conventional Euro VI vehicle with the same capacity
- Capable of at least 96km (60 miles) emission-free travel
LEV Grant covers up to 20% of the purchase price for vans to a maximum of £25,000.
Essentials Top Tip
If you work for a vehicle dealership or manufacturer, you can apply for a grant using the online portal. There are a limited number of grants – you should find out how many are available before you apply.
International Road Haulage
In 2022 the rules relating to transporting goods to or through Europe changed as part of the UK’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU.
The rules apply when transporting goods using:
- Cars and trailers
- Vans or other light goods vehicles (LCVs)
- Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
The immediate impact may mean that operators:
- Have to register some journeys within Europe on an online service
- May need a vehicle operator licence if they use vans or cars and trailers to transport goods to or through Europe
What to do:
- Check which types of journeys must be registered online
- Check what actions transport companies and couriers need to complete to use vans or cars with trailers over 2.5 tonnes to transport goods in and out of the UK