LCV Week: The Famous Five – Clean Air Zone Update by City
Never before in my living memory and 25 years in this industry have so many factors lined up to influence the fortunes of new and used vans.
In this series of blogs I consider the latest acronyms to hit our industry ULEZ, CAZ, WLTP and RFL to name a few. One thing is for sure, there are more questions than answers and it’s going to be a fun few years!
And today's focus? A quick update on the latest news around clean air zones in five major UK cities.
DEFRA have indicated that the chargeable access restriction in clean air zones will apply to buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles, restricting the movement of these vehicles unless they meet defined Euro emission standards.
Defined by DEFRA themselves, we are already seeing some cities going further than the ‘standard’ implementations, with some adding additional restrictions – for example, Birmingham which has included private cars and vans in the zone; mirroring London, while others are reducing penalties to lessen the financial impact on businesses while the scheme beds in.
Last month, Leeds announced its CAZ charges, which although seem positive in comparison to other cities, will still be eye watering for those affected. Pre-Euro 6 trucks and buses will have a daily penalty of £50 (reduced from the originally intended £100) – around £18,000 p.a if operating seven days a week inside the CAZ, while taxis will pay £12.50 per day (£4,500 p.a. although it is proposed to have a weekly discount structure for licensed drivers if purchased in advance). Private cars and vans remain excluded from the penalties.
In Birmingham, all vehicles travelling within the Middle Ring Road will be affected (mirroring the London ULEZ in terms of Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards), although it is likely the consultation outcome will see them exclude private cars and vans to fall into line with other cities, as the economic impact and personal impact on residents will be significant.
Southampton’s consultation (including the New Forest) largely mirrors Leeds as it excludes cars and vans regardless of engine or age. They are open to charging “up to £100 per day” for buses or trucks that are pre Euro 6 but time will tell. Taxis again will pay up to £12.50 per day if they are pre-Euro 6 diesel or pre-Euro 4 petrol.
Many other cities are yet to confirm their own intentions for the introductions of CAZ, with Derby and Nottingham expected to mirror Leeds and Southampton, however one thing is clear – there will be much to navigate for CV drivers, dealers and vendors over the coming few years.
