Glasgow moves forward with plans to ban the most polluting vehicles
Phase 2 of the Low Emissions Zone is expected from June 2023
Last updated 8th Jun 2021
Councillors are looking at how drivers can be given a say on plans for penalty charges for bringing the most polluting cars into Glasgow city centre.
A public consultation is to go live later this month on the second phase of the Low Emission Zone which was launched in 2018 to address levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide and started with action on buses.
The council says the LEZ is intended to protect public health by improving air quality, with particular benefits to older and very young people, and for those with existing heart and lung conditions.
The rules would apply to cars and commercial vehicles, but motorcycles and mopeds would be exempt.
Improving air quality
Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction said: "The introduction of Glasgow's Low Emission Zone in 2018 shows our resolute determination to tackle air pollution in the city centre and beyond.
"Low emissions have been used across Europe for many years.
"If you're coming in once the zone is in force you will need to make sure your car is of a clean enough standard, and if that is the case you will still have access to the city centre.
"We're asking people to get ready ahead of 2023 and check their vehicle type and have a think about whether they need to change their travel habits."
Phase 2 will include all vehicles entering the city centre zone, unless exempt, but has been held up because of Covid-19 meaning legislation has not been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The consultation, which opens later this month will set out the thinking behind the scheme and include details of its scope, proposed start date, intended boundary, and grace periods for zone residents and non-residents.
Enforcement is now expected to be from 1 June 2023, although people living within the LEZ zone are expected to be granted a further year to comply with the emissions requirements, with penalties starting in June 2024.
Check if you will have to pay
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, although the results are not a guarantee that a vehicle can enter a LEZ.
Glasgow's LEZ will adopt the following emission standards:
Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles
Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles
Euro VI for lorries, buses and coaches and other specialist heavy diesel engine vehicles