Clean Air Zones in the UK

Updated

Feb 9, 2026 8:08 PM

Written by Nathan Cafearo

Understand UK Clean Air Zones, charges, and compliance. See costs, options, and funding routes to upgrade or switch. Clear guidance for drivers, trades, and businesses across Great Britain.

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The shift to cleaner city driving

Across Great Britain, Clean Air Zones are reshaping how we drive into major towns and cities. The aim is straightforward - cut harmful emissions and protect public health. The results are already visible. In Birmingham, non-compliant vehicles entering the zone fell from 15.2% at launch to 3.8% by August 2025. Nitrogen dioxide within the zone dropped 29% against 2019 levels and 34% compared with 2016. Bristol reports 89% of journeys are now compliant on average, with non-compliant trips edging down again this year. Nationally, sites breaching legal NO2 limits have more than halved since 2019.

Today there are 12 active Clean Air Zones across the UK, including Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone operates separately and covers the whole city after its 2023 expansion. Scotland’s four major cities - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow - now run fully operational Low Emission Zones and have begun charging for infringements. Elsewhere, Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone is in place in the city centre with proposals to extend coverage from 2026, allowing electric vehicles in without a charge.

Not every city has chosen charging. Greater Manchester pivoted to an investment-led plan in 2024, funding more than a thousand bus and HGV upgrades and cutting the number of NO2 exceedance sites sharply. And looking ahead, more zones are likely from 2026 as councils target persistent hotspots, although a few areas that met legal limits early have dropped their plans.

Clean air is not just an ideal. It is measurable progress, fewer hospital admissions, and quieter lungs on the school run.

If you drive for work or family life, the rules affect your costs and choices. Understanding how zones work - and the practical routes to compliance - puts you in control.

Who benefits from this guide

This guide is written for UK drivers who enter or pass near city centres - from tradespeople and delivery drivers to commuters, carers and school-run parents. It is equally relevant to small business owners running vans or taxis, and to fleet managers planning routes across England and Scotland. If you are weighing up an upgrade to a compliant petrol or diesel, considering an EV, or simply trying to avoid fines, you will find clear, grounded advice here. The information is practical, up to date, and designed to help you budget with confidence.

Your practical choices

Upgrade your vehicle to meet zone standards - newer petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV.
Pay the daily charge when you enter a zone and keep your current vehicle.
Use alternative routes or travel modes - train, bus, park and ride, or car club.
Apply for exemptions, discounts or local support where eligible.
Retrofit approved emission controls on specific vehicle types where schemes allow.
Finance an upgrade with a broker to spread costs and protect cash flow.

What it costs and what you get back

Option	Typical outlay	Impact on charges	Potential returns	Key risks
Pay daily charges	£8-£15 for some cars or vans, £50-£100 for HGV and buses depending on city	Immediate access without upgrade	Avoids upfront spend, flexible for occasional trips	Adds up quickly for frequent travel, risk of fines if unpaid
Upgrade to compliant petrol or diesel	£6,000-£20,000 depending on age and type	No CAZ or LEZ charges in most cities	Lower running costs if newer, higher reliability, stronger resale	Depreciation, higher insurance, potential future rule changes
Switch to EV	£12,000-£35,000 used-to-new typical	Zero or minimal charges in most zones	Low fuel and maintenance costs, tax benefits, future-proofing	Higher upfront cost, charging access, battery range in winter
Retrofit emissions tech	£1,500-£8,000 where approved	May qualify as compliant if certified	Cheaper than replacement, keeps familiar vehicle	Limited availability, certification required, residual value uncertain
Change travel mode or route	£5-£20 per day for public transport or parking	Avoids entering chargeable areas	Predictable daily cost, no compliance admin	Time costs, less flexibility, possible service disruption
Do nothing	£0 now	Ongoing charges or penalties	None	Recurrent costs, escalating fines, limited access over time

Who needs to comply and how to check

Clean Air Zones in England are graded from Class A to D. Depending on the class, different vehicle types can be charged if they do not meet emissions standards. Many zones focus on commercial vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles, while some include private cars. Scottish Low Emission Zones operate with a similar goal but use automatic number plate recognition to enforce stricter entry rules, applying to most vehicle types unless they meet set standards or qualify for exemptions.

As a rule of thumb, petrol cars that are Euro 4 and newer, and diesel cars and vans that are Euro 6 and newer, are typically compliant. Motorbikes often need to meet Euro 3. Local exemptions may exist for blue badge holders, hospital visits, and certain specialist vehicles. Sheffield’s Class C zone, for example, charges non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, vans, HGVs and buses, with specific discounts for local residents operating large vehicles.

Always check your number plate against the official city checker before travelling. If you are planning a vehicle change, reviewing compliance across multiple zones can save costly surprises. If finance would help you spread the cost of upgrading, a broker like Kandoo can connect you with regulated lenders and competitive options.

Step-by-step to stay on the right side of the rules

Check your number plate on the relevant city website.
Confirm the vehicle’s Euro standard from V5C or manufacturer portal.
Estimate your annual entries and total likely charges.
Compare upgrade, retrofit, or pay-per-entry costs.
Explore grants, exemptions, or scrappage in your area.
Arrange finance if upgrading would be cost effective.
Set up auto-pay to avoid missed deadlines and fines.
Review annually as city rules and fleets evolve.

The upsides and the trade-offs

Factor	Pros	Cons
Health and environment	Cleaner air, fewer NO2 hotspots, safer for children	Adjusted travel habits required
Costs	Potential long-term savings with compliant or electric vehicles	Upfront expense or ongoing charges
Access	Predictable entry with compliant vehicles	Restrictions can extend or tighten over time
Business planning	Clearer rules enable route and fleet optimisation	Admin burden to verify compliance and manage payments
Resale value	Compliant and EV models often hold value better	Older non-compliant vehicles may depreciate faster

Read this before you commit

Zone coverage and fees vary by city and change over time. London’s ULEZ is separate from regional Clean Air Zones and has its own rules, boundaries and charges. Scottish Low Emission Zones follow nationally set standards and use a penalty-based structure for non-compliance. Some cities, like Greater Manchester, have moved away from charging and are investing in cleaner fleets instead, which shows there is no single national template. Oxford’s work on a wider Zero Emission Zone indicates that stricter rules could spread to more central areas in future. Build in headroom for evolving policies when deciding whether to pay per entry or upgrade. If your vehicle use is occasional, charges may be cheaper than replacement. For regular city access, a compliant upgrade can pay for itself.

A simple rule of thumb: if you enter a zone more than twice a week, run the numbers on upgrading.

Next step suggestion: check your most frequent city’s vehicle checker today and map your likely monthly charges.

Alternative routes to compliance

Use park and ride hubs to cut city-centre entries.
Join a car club for occasional compliant access.
Switch certain trips to rail or coach for reliability.
Consolidate deliveries to fewer chargeable days.
Explore local scrappage or support schemes where available.
Consider telematics insurance to optimise driving efficiency.

FAQs - clear answers to common questions

Which UK cities currently operate zones?

There are 12 Clean Air Zones across England, including Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside. Scotland operates LEZs in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. London runs ULEZ separately.

Do private cars always pay?

No. Some zones charge commercial vehicles only, while others include private cars. It depends on the class of the zone and local rules. Always check the specific city website.

What are the typical charges?

Charges vary. Some Class C zones charge taxis, vans, HGVs and buses, for example £10 for smaller vehicles and £60 for buses and coaches in certain cities. London’s ULEZ has separate fees and boundaries.

How do I know if my vehicle is compliant?

Check your registration on the official checker. As a guide, Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel are usually compliant. Motorbikes often need Euro 3. Confirm using your V5C or manufacturer data.

Are more zones expected?

Yes. Experts expect additional zones in 2026 as councils continue to tackle emissions. Some places have paused or cancelled plans after meeting air quality targets, but expansion elsewhere is likely.

What about health benefits?

Cleaner air reduces exposure to pollutants linked to thousands of premature deaths each year. Falling NO2 exceedances across the UK indicate meaningful progress for public health.

Is paying daily cheaper than upgrading?

If you enter rarely, paying can be cheaper. If you enter frequently, charges and potential fines can quickly overtake finance payments on a compliant or electric vehicle.

How Kandoo helps you move forward

Kandoo is a UK-based retail finance broker that helps drivers and businesses spread the cost of upgrading to compliant or electric vehicles. We connect you with a panel of regulated lenders, so you can compare rates and choose affordable monthly payments. If staying compliant matters to your work or family, we make the funding simple and transparent.

Important information

This guide is for general information only. Zone rules, prices and eligibility can change without notice. Always check official city websites before travelling. Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender terms. Consider independent advice where appropriate.