Discover everything there is to know with Scrap Local’s Low Emission Zone guide!
Edinburgh, alongside four key cities in Scotland, is launching a clean air initiative to reduce alarming pollution rates in the town.
Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced on 31st May 2022, providing a two-year grace period for residents and businesses to adjust.
Enforcement officially began on 1st June 2024, with penalties now applied to non-compliant vehicles entering the zone.
The key emission standards outlined by Low emission Scotland include the following:
You can check your vehicle online via the button below. Alternatively, you can also check your emission category from your V5C logbook.
Edinburgh’s low-emission map will run throughout most of the city centre.
Although agreed upon and finalised by the low-emission zone Scotland, the complete map and boundaries of the proposed CAZ can be subject to change!
View a map of the Edinburgh clean air zone below to stay updated on its coverage.
How much you’ll be charged to enter and drive across the LEZ is set at one fee.
This is partly because Low emission Scotland has outlined a flat charge of £60 per day for non-compliant vehicles.
However, this will be reduced to only £30 if paid within 14 days.
It’s important to note that advance payment is not an option for entering the LEZ with a non-compliant vehicle. Penalties are issued after a violation is detected.
Charges can be defined below.
The Edinburgh low emission zone, or the LEZ, is a government scheme to reduce harmful emissions from highly polluting vehicles.
Vehicles must pay £60 daily to enter and drive across the zone. This can be reduced to £30 if paid within a month.
Unlike the Birmingham or London ULEZ, there seems to be one straight charge for all polluting vehicles, where the only difference in costs lies with penalties for late fines.
Additional charges can apply if you breach the rules.
These include a fine of up to £480 for cars and light goods vehicles and £960 for buses and HGVs.
For repeated violations within a 90-day period, penalties increase incrementally: £120 for the second offence, £240 for the third, and £480 for the fourth and subsequent offences.
If regulations have not been breached within 90 days, then the rate is reset, and you will pay as was required from the start.
Certain grants are available to residents and business owners within the low-emission zone.
Under the low emission zone support fund, grants include:
Other forms of support are available to residents in Edinburgh’s low-emission zone. This can include e-bikes and electric vehicles (with chargers).
The Edinburgh Low emission zone and further enforcement in 4 key cities present a real clause for change in transport and emissions across Scotland.
Understandably, many residents, businesses, and visitors to Edinburgh towns will be affected by the low emission scheme, although this is for the betterment of the local environment.
Being an award-winning vehicle recycling service, Scrap Local understands this better than most. We have assisted motorists across London, Birmingham and Bradford, where similar schemes are run.
If you have a polluting car that is not fit for the low emission zone, enquire today!
We’ll assist with all the paperwork with our Authorised treatment facilities so that whether you seek grant approval or simply want to remove your car without any hassle – We’re your solution
The Edinburgh Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was initially proposed to start in February 2023. However, the scheme officially began with a one-year grace period for residents, running from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.
As of June 1, 2024, full enforcement is in place, with the entire city adhering to key air quality management measures.
Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers most of the city centre.
The zone extends from the south of Tollcross, west of Palmerston Place, along Queen Street, and down to the bottom of the Royal Mile. It also includes Abbeyhill, leading onto Holyrood Road.
Additionally, the LEZ encompasses areas east of Pleasance, extending to the Meadows and looping back to Tollcross.
View a map of Edinburgh’s LEZ to find out more
A flat rate of £60 will be charged to any polluting vehicle that enters and drives across the low-emission zone.
The charge can be reduced by £50 if paid within 30 days.
If you are a blue badge holder, classic car (older than 30 years with no modifications!), or motorcycle, emergency and military vehicle driver, you fall under national exemptions.
Locally, if you are a resident and business within 20KM of the zone, you will be exempt for 2 years until 2024.
The following grants and funding are available across the Edinburgh Low Emission Zone.
If you don’t want to pay the charges of driving a polluting vehicle’ it’s time you find a change.
For residents, this may try to receive grant funding, which is where we come in. Scrap Local’s trusted Edinburgh Scrap Car Buyers will ensure you receive an honest and transparent car removal service.
Once crushed, we’ll provide all the necessary paperwork so you can use the grant money on something much better!
To see how our award-winning vehicle recycling service can help you, enquire today.
Whether you’re a scrap metal dealer, vehicle recycler or even a scrap collector, joining Scrap Local today will give you access to thousands of new enquiries each month!
Quick Links
Scrap Car Collection
Join Newsletter
©ScrapLocal.co.uk is a trading name of Code Local Ltd - All rights reserved.
We have hundreds of scrap car buyers waiting to buy your scrap car.
