Support for eligible people to comply with Glasgow’s upcoming LEZ

Ahead of the enforcement of Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) next year, Glasgow City Council is encouraging drivers and fleet operators to check their vehicles for emissions compliance and to explore available grant support.

The emissions standards required to drive into the zone will apply to all vehicles, except motorbikes and mopeds, from 1 June 2023, with a penalty charge payable for non-compliance.

Emission standards for LEZs in Scotland have been set nationally – these are:

• Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
• Euro 6 for diesel vehicles
• Euro IV for heavy duty petrol vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
• Euro VI for heavy duty diesel vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs

Transport Scotland are working on an online tool that will enable motorists to check if their vehicle meets LEZ emission standards by entering their registration number. Until this is ready, they have prepared a basic online vehicle checker.

Some vehicle types or uses are exempt, such as vehicle for disabled persons and blue badge holders.

Those living within the LEZ boundary area will have additional time to prepare, with the enforcement start date for vehicles registered to a residential address within the zone, deferred until 1 June 2024.

Grant funding is also available to help low-income households, sole traders and micro-businesses to become complaint with the LEZ.

Eligible households living within a 20km radius of the LEZ may be able to apply for a £2,000 grant towards the disposal of a non-compliant vehicle and up to £1,000 towards alternative sustainable travel options.

Micro-businesses and sole traders may also be eligible for a £2,000 grant towards the disposal of a non-complaint vehicle and up to £1,000 towards the purchase of a cargo or electric cargo bike.

Sole traders and micro businesses operating taxis, vans and specialist vehicles may be interested in the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund, which offers up to 80% funding towards the installation of retrofit solutions to make vehicles LEZ compliant based on emission standards.

Visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website for full details of the grants and loans available and eligibility requirements.

Photo by Giorgio Trovato