A fifth of drivers living in cities with clean air zones like ULEZ are forced to sell their cars

London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expands this week, leaving thousands of motorists facing £12.50-a-day charges – but a new study shows it isn’t just drivers in the capital being forced to change their cars.

More than a fifth (20.4 per cent) of motorists living in cities with clean air zones – including the Birmingham CAZ and Glasgow LEZ – have either sold or are being forced against their wishes to sell vehicles they’ve owned for years because they fail to comply with the schemes where they live, according to a new poll.

And these zones – of which there are nine in England and four in Scotland – are already proving to be significant cash cows.

In the last two years alone, they have generated over £400million in fees and penalty charges, a separate report has found.

Cashing in on cars: These are the 13 cities that have – or soon will – have low-emission zones that charge drivers to enter

A What Car? survey of 839 motorists found that nearly 40 per cent of respondents’ vehicles did not meet the rules of their city’s clean air zones.

Of these, almost two in five (18.2 per cent) said they could not afford to pay the daily charges required to drive in the zone, let alone cover the cost of replacing their car or van with something newer that does meet the required emission standard.

Despite the significant impact on finances for the most hard-up drivers, half of respondents living in cities with clean air zones agree with the schemes, with 38.6 per cent feeling negative and the rest undecided. 

However, when the views of respondents who live outside these cities were polled, the proportion who were saw the benefits fell to just under a third (31.9 per cent) and more – 38.1 per cent – were against.

The report has been published in the wake of London’s ULEZ expansion across the entirety of the city.

The ULEZ boundary has grown to more than four times its previous size, stretching from Heathrow airport to Upminster and Enfield to Biggin Hill to cover an area of 600 square miles, encompassing all 32 boroughs. 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has overseen two expansions of the ULEZ since it was first introduced in 2019. But the capital isn’t the only city in the UK with a charging zone based on vehicle emissions…

While ULEZ dates back to April 2019, there are another seven Clean Air Zones (CAZ) already in operation in cities around England.

These include schemes in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Gateshead, and Sheffield.

Scotland’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is an outright ban on non-compliant cars, with steep fines for those who ignore it.

The LEZ is currently being enforced with penalties in Glasgow and three more schemes will be introduced north of the border next year when Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh begin enforcement of their versions.

Oxford also has its own unique Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ).

It bans all vehicles apart from those running solely on electric power, though it is currently in a pilot phase.

Not every zone charges passenger car drivers, but instead impact owners of other vehicle types, including vans, buses, HGVs and taxis. 

What Car? editor Steven Huntingford said: ‘The fact that our survey suggests more than 18 per cent of motorists living in clean air zones are being forced off the roads by these extra charges is deeply concerning, and shows that more financial help is needed to help people replace their vehicles. 

‘However, it’s also clear that a large number of other people are supportive of the schemes, so this is a nuanced issue.’

Spot the difference: There are four different Clean Air Zones across seven English cities 

How much money have clean air zones generated from charges and fines? 

But while there are still question marks regarding the level of support for these schemes, there’s no doubting the huge sums they are already generating.

New research by Peugeot has found that these low-emission zones have generated more than £418million in fees and penalty charges since March 2021.

London’s ULEZ – the longest-running of all – issued the majority of fees and fines, accounting for £319million of income between October 2021 (when the ULEZ was expanded to cover the area up to the North and South Circular roads) and April 2023. 

By law, all net revenue generated by the ULEZ must be reinvested back into London’s transport network.

The French car maker’s research, based on Freedom of Information requests, found eight zones have generated £418.5million in income from motorists since March 2021.

Bristol City Council withheld data on the Bristol Clean Air Zone as it intends to publish this information before the end of the calendar year.

Oxford’s ZEZ – introduced in February 2022 – from its inception up to April 30, 2023, has generated £779,306 from motorists, the report said.

BRITAIN’S 13 EMISSION ZONES AT A GLANCE 

London Ultra Low Emission Zone

Charges and fine income: £319million (01/10/2021 – 21/04/2023)*

Sadiq Khan has overseen ULEZ expanding from Central London (the smallest section in the darkest green in the graphic) to the North and South Circular Roads in October 2021 (the slightly lighter green area) and from 29 August 2023 to cover all 32 boroughs in the capital

What is it: Ultra Low Emission Zone charging older petrol and diesel vehicles in the capital 

When was it introduced: Enforced in the Congestion Charge Zone from April 8, 2019 – expanded to inner London from October 25, 2021 and again on August 29, 2023 to cover all 32 London boroughs

Emission tax type: ULEZ 

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis (registered black cabs exempt), private hire vehicles (PHVs), heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), light goods vehicles (LGVs) and car drivers

Cost to car drivers:  £12.50 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£4,562.50 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Cost to private van drivers:  £12.50 daily charge if a diesel van isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£4,562.50 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Bath Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £9.9million (15/03/2021 – 18/05/2023)*

Bath’s Clean Air Zone is designed to reduce air pollution in the centre of the city, mostly by targeting buses and HGVs. It was the first CAZ to launch in Britain

What is it: The first emissions tax introduced outside of London – but does not charge car drivers

When was it introduced: Enforced from March 15, 2021

Emission tax type: CAZ C

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs

Cost to car drivers:  Zero

Cost to private van drivers: £9 a day (£3,285 per year if driving in the zone daily) 

Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £79.5million (14/06/2021 – 05/04/2023)* 

All drivers of pre-Euro 4 petrol and pre-Euro 6 diesel cars will face a daily charge of £8 to drive within the limits of the A4540 Middleway Ring Road in the West Midlands city

What is it: Daily charge for drivers of older petrol and diesel cars to enter the limits of the city ring road

When was it introduced: Enforced from June 1, 2021

Emission tax type: CAZ D

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers 

Cost to car drivers: £8 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£2,920 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Cost to private van drivers: £8 daily charge if a diesel van isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£2,920 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Portsmouth Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £932,577 (29/11/2021 – 18/05/2023)* 

Portsmouth’s plans for a clean air zone cover a 3km-squared area, mostly to tackle emissions from traffic coming through the city to reach its ports

What is it: Clean Air Zone for incoming vehicles, but not car drivers

When was it introduced: Enforced from November 29, 2021

Emission tax type: CAZ B

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and HGVs

Cost to car drivers: Zero

Cost to private van drivers: Zero 

Oxford Zero Emission Zone

Charges and fine income: £779,306.40 (28/02/2022 – 30/04/2023)* 

These are the seven streets where the Oxford ZEZ will be first piloted under plans due to go live in February 2022

What is it: First Zero Emission Zone pilot that charges all but electric vehicles to enter eight city centre streets

When was it introduced: Pilot scheme launched February 28, 2022

Emission tax type: ZEZ 

Vehicles charged:  All drivers of vehicles with petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicles

Cost to car drivers: £2 – £10 daily charge depending on vehicle emissions (up to £3,650 a year if driving in the zone daily)

Cost to private van drivers: £2 – £10 daily charge depending on vehicle emissions (up to £3,650 a year if driving in the zone daily)

Scottish Low Emission Zone in Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh

Charges and fine income: n/a

The Glasgow LEZ covers an area of the city centre bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south, and Saltmarket/High Street to the east.

What is it: Low Emission Zones banning older petrol and diesel vehicles

When was it introduced: Enforced in Glasgow since June 1, 2023 – introduced by not yet enforced in Dundee (May 30, 2024) and Aberdeen and Edinburgh (both June 1, 2024)

Emission tax type: LEZ

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers 

Cost to car drivers:  Penalty Charge Notice of £60 (reduced by 50 per cent if paid within two weeks) for non-compliant cars. PCN amount doubles with each breach to a maximum penalty of £480

Cost to private van drivers:  Penalty Charge Notice of £60 (reduced by 50 per cent if paid within two weeks) for non-compliant cars. PCN amount doubles with each breach to a maximum penalty of £480

Bradford Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £6.7million (26/09/2022 – 19/06/2023)*

This is the Clean Air Zone boundary for Bradford, which was introduced in September 2022 – but doesn’t affect car drivers

What is it: Clean Air Zone that does not charge car drivers

When was it introduced: September 26, 2022

Emission tax type: CAZ C

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs

Cost to car drivers: Zero

Cost to private van drivers: £9 a day (£3,285 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Bristol Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: n/a

Motorists using any of the roads marked in the blue area of this map of Bristol driving a CAZ non-compliant passenger car will be charged £9 a day

What is it: Clean Air Zone charging drivers of older passenger cars who travel in the zone

When was it introduced? November 28, 2022

Emission tax type: CAZ D

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs LGVs and car drivers

Cost to car drivers: £9 daily charge if a diesel car isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£3,285 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Cost to private van drivers: £9 daily charge if a diesel van isn’t Euro 6 or petrol isn’t at least Euro 4 (£3,285 per year if driving in the zone daily)

Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £181,532 (30/01/2023 – 30/04/2023)* 

This is the proposed boundary for a clean air zone covering Newcastle’s city centre from 30 January 2023

What is it: Clean Air Zone in Newcastle city centre, Gateshead and North Tyneside – but no charge for car drivers

When was it introduced: January 30, 2023

Emission tax type: CAZ C

Vehicles charged:  Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs

Cost to car drivers: Zero

Cost to private van drivers: £12.50 a day (£4,562.50 a year if driving in the zone daily)

Sheffield Clean Air Zone

Charges and fine income: £495,966 (27/02/2023 – 30/04/2023)*

Sheffield City Council is introducing a CAZ C zone from 27 February 2023, with it covering the inner ring road and the city centre, including Park Square and the A61/Parkway junction

What is it: An inner-city Clean Air Zone targeted at the dirties vehicles – but not cars

When was it introduced: February 27, 2023

Emission tax type: CAZ C

Vehicles charged: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and LGVs

Cost to car drivers: Zero

Cost to private van drivers: £10 a day (£3,650 per year if driving in the zone daily)

*Charges and fine income according to Peugeot UK study 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk