Ultra Low Emission and Clean Air zones are becoming widespread over the UK and will continue to grow. In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about Low Emission Zones/Clean Air Zones and what parts of the UK have them.
Ultra Low Emission and Clean Air zones are becoming widespread over the UK and will continue to grow. In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about Low Emission Zones/Clean Air Zones and what parts of the UK have them.
What is a low emission/clean air zone?
A low emission zone/low emission zone is a defined area where access by some polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred with the aim of improving air quality and reducing pollution. It’s part of the UK government’s Air Quality Plan, where local authorities can reduce harmful emissions in troublesome areas. In London it is called the Ultra Low Emission Zone, or ULEZ. In other areas of the UK such as Bristol and Manchester they’re called Clean Air Zones, CAZ.
What’s the difference between ULEZ and Clean Air Zones?
The ULEZ and CAZ are very similar. The ULEZ London is designed to improve air quality by minimising the impact of vehicle emissions and covers all areas within the North and South Circular Roads. The ULEZ requires Euro 4 or cleaner for petrol vehicles and Euro 6 for diesel vehicles, motorbikes mopeds, motorised tricycles, and quadricycles (L category) must be Euro 3. London also has a LEZ (Low Emission Zone) which extends further from the ULEZ. The LEZ standard is for Euro 6 emission standard vehicles and cleaner. The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
A CAZ is an area where targeted action has been taken to improve air quality. These zones can be a single road or part of a city or the main city centre. Although CAZ restrictions vary by city, most vehicles will be exempt from paying charges as they’re already compliant with the emission standards.
If you’re unsure if you will be charged or not, there are plenty of handy websites where you can input your registration and it will tell you if you have to and how much you’ll have to pay.
Where are these zones?
The ULEZ covers all areas within the North and South Circular Roads.
The LEZ extends further from the ULEZ and covers most of Greater London.
There are CAZ in Bristol, Bath, Greater Manchester (under review), Birmingham, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead. These all have different regulations for vehicles so you can find out more here.
How can AutoLyne Help?
At AutoLyne we can provide you with a vehicle that is suitable to travel in these low emission zones without having to worry, we offer vehicles that are Euro5/6 and we have electric vehicles available too.
Contact us today by giving us a call or emailing us, we offer long or short term rentals and leasing. Whatever you need, we have it.
