Low-Emission Zones (LEZ) for passenger vehicles have operated in London and Birmingham for some time. In 2022, four Scottish cities also introduced an LEZ, though only the Glasgow zone is currently enforced with charges.
ULEZ stands for ultra-low emissions zone – where the restrictions on vehicles that can access that zone are even more stringent than in LEZ. The new LEZ in Scotland operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow now have central areas marked out for low-emissions vehicles only.
In this brief guide, we detail all you need to know about the low-emission zones affecting Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. If you want any specific information, just click on the link below to jump down the page.
Latest news…
The Glasgow LEZ has come under renewed fire this week after reports that Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), which the zone was supposed to reduce in the area, was higher at two monitoring stations in November 2023 than at the same time the year before when the LEZ was not enforced.
According to figures reported by the Scottish Daily Express, at the Hope Street monitoring station, 43.7 micrograms per cubic metre were recorded in November 2023, compared to 41.8 the year before. At the Townhead monitoring station the figure was 26.5 in November 2023 and 20.9 at the same time the year before.
However, according to the Glasgow City Council, figures reported on a month-by-month basis are not a cause for concern.
‘As air pollution levels are highly variable and dependent on a number of contributing factors, so it will be some time before the benefits of the LEZ can be comprehensively reported – particularly as the main expected benefit relates to the long-term annual average pollution concentrations,’ a Glasgow City Council spokeswoman told us.
‘Early indications from publicly available data indicate that all automatic monitoring stations in Glasgow recorded lower levels of NO2 pollution in 2023 compared with 2022. However, this data is not yet fully ratified. Once fully ratified, it will be reported in the annual progress reports.’
What is a low-emission zone?
Low-emission zones (LEZs) are pre-defined urban areas subject to special vehicular restrictions. In this case, low-emission vehicles are only permitted in these zones. Non-compliant vehicles, wishing to enter, are charged a daily rate. The restriction forces motorists to reconsider the vehicles they drive, if they wish to regularly access the LEZ.
How do they work?
To enter, vehicles not meeting the defined criteria will be expected to pay a charge to offset their emissions. Using Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, the zones are monitored and the payments made, usually via a website, are ticked off as paid.
Drivers who fail to pay the LEZ charge will be fined for bringing in a non-compliant vehicle. Fines start at £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days, but could be as high as £960 for HGVs and buses.
When will they come into force?
Aberdeen
In May 2022, Aberdeen city centre gained its LEZ. Enforcement starts on the 1st June 2024 and blue badge holders are exempt.
Dundee
Dundee introduced its LEZ at the end of May 2022, but doesn’t have any plans to officially enforce the zone until May 2024.
Edinburgh
Like Aberdeen, Edinburgh introduced its area for low-emission vehicles only in May 2022. It too will offer drivers a two-year period of grace, enabling motorists to switch to cleaner vehicles if they wish to use the city centre without charge.
Glasgow
Since 2018, the Glasgow City Council has operated an LEZ for buses in the city centre. Extending the LEZ to all vehicles became the second phase of this plan, which is now in effect. Charges have applied since June 2023.
The LEZ forms part of an action plan drawn up by the Glasgow City Council to reduce air pollution over the next five years. The plan includes emissions-based parking permits and a city-wide 20mph speed limit – set to come into force this year – to help curtail pollutants in the city.
Will the charges apply to residents in the zones?
Yes. As a mechanism to encourage all drivers to opt for low-emission vehicles, residents are also be required to pay on a daily basis, if they wish to keep their non-compliant vehicle in the zone.
The grace periods given to residents in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh to enable them to prepare for the charges are pretty long. Enforcement begins in 2024, giving residents adequate time to change their car to a low-emission, or better still, zero-emission vehicle.
Why are LEZs being introduced?
The low-emission zones (LEZs) are being introduced to combat poor air quality in the most congested parts of the cities. The focus is less on the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – much discussed in the conversation around climate change – and more on nitrogen oxide (NO2) emissions and particulate matter, which have been proven to exacerbate, and some cases cause, allergic responses and respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
Who can enter the Scottish LEZs?
Vehicles eligible to travel inside the LEZ without charge are Euro 6 for diesel cars and vans (post-September 2015) and Euro 4 for petrol cars and vans (post-September 2006). Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are also permitted to travel into LEZs.
There are no exemptions for foreign vehicles, so drivers from other countries will be expected to pay the LEZ charge.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes. Exemptions apply to historic cars that are older than 30 years and are no longer produced.
Blue badge holders, emergency services vehicles (including but not limited to) police, fire, ambulance, coast guard and Scottish Fire and Rescue. Military vehicles don’t pay, either.
Mopeds and motorbikes travel inside the zones without payment too.
