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Clean air zones – implementation set to commence this month


London


If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, a charge will be levied if it is used within clean air zones. The number of such zones is likely to multiply amid growing concerns about air quality


Last year BIFA advised Members that in response to higher levels of air pollution, and within a national framework overseen by national government, local authorities were taking appropriate measures to address the problem. The motor vehicle is one of the main sources of pollution; it is estimated that HGVs cause about 20% of all such emissions. There is a delicate balancing act to be


achieved. It is recognised that currently there is no real alternative to the HGV for moving, in particular, consumer and mixed load goods, and lockdown has considerably increased consumer demand. Hence the focus on encouraging the cleanest possible HGVs. If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, a charge will be levied if it is used within a clean air zone. At this point it is important to note that some


of the language is confusing, a point that we have raised with the government. However, in essence there is no meaningful difference between an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) as exists in London and a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) as there will soon be in Bath and Birmingham. Certain authorities, such as Oxford, are looking at stricter controls, potentially introducing zero emission zones. It is important to note that additional CAZs will be created, and some of these will be in areas such as ports and airports, and thus have a more direct impact on Members’ business activities. The first CAZ will be launched on 15 March in


Bath; details can be found at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-clean-air-zone. From a commercial viewpoint, the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, commencing on 1 June 2021, will have greater commercial impact. Details on local information and exemptions are available at: www.brumbreathes.co.uk/. There are four types of clean air zones:


Classes A to D. Class Vehicle type to be charged A


12


Buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles.


ULEZ to be expanded Oct 2021 to North and South Circular Roads


There are national and local exemptions from


the charges. From a commercial viewpoint, the two most important apply to vehicles that are ultra low emission and those retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme. Each vehicle type has a minimum emission


standard, which must be met. Vehicle type


Buses, coaches, heavy


goods vehicles Vans, minibuses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cars


CAZ minimum standard Euro VI


Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (petrol) Members can check whether or not they need


to pay for a single vehicle at www.gov.uk/check- clean-air-zone-charge However, businesses that own or manage two


or more registered vehicles can set up an account to check charges for multiple vehicles at the above address. Charges will only be levied on vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards. This service allows businesses to create a


B C D


Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles.


Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans and minibuses.


Buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses and cars. The local authority has the option to include motorcycles.


To date information is known about the


following areas: City Bath


Type of clean air zone Class C


Birmingham Class D Date


15/3/2021 1/6/2021


company account, upload and check the compliance of UK registered vehicles. To create an account, a business needs two or more vehicles, a company name and an email address. Once set up users can: • Upload number plates via spreadsheet (CSV) or one-by-one. The service will use the numberplates you upload to determine whether the vehicles meet emissions standards in a zone. Only vehicles that do not meet emission standards will have to pay a charge.


• The primary account holder can invite up to 10 team members to help manage the account and assign various permissions.


• View maps of the Clean Air Zones, see when they go live and find out about exemptions.


We would suggest that Members do check their vehicles against the officially held data because BIFA is aware of errors, where a Euro 6 vehicle has been registered as Euro 4. Whether we like it or not, environmental issues will play a greater part in business decisions in the future. Also, there is the likelihood that standards will become ever stricter.


March 2021


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