One-Fifth Of Motorists Unclear On Clean Air Zones

One in five UK motorists is unaware of what a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is, despite their introduction to cities across the country.

Birmingham will be the latest city to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on 1 June, following on from London and Bath, which have both created low-emissions zones, reports the Birmingham Mail.

But according to a new survey by used car marketplace Motorway, there is a general lack of understanding of what a CAZ is and what it means for motorists.

One-fifth of the 2,009 drivers quizzed for the survey revealed they had little to no idea what a CAZ is, and one in three motorists from Birmingham were unaware that a CAZ was being implemented in the city on 1 June.

Some 21 per cent of motorists are unsure of how a CAZ works, while just 16 per cent knew how to check to see if they would be charged to drive through a CAZ.

While each city’s CAZ has a different approach, the common goal of them is to reduce pollution in the UK’s worst-affected areas.

London’s low-emission zone – called ULEZ – requires vehicles to meet certain emissions standards or face paying a daily charge of £12.50 for cars, motorcycles and vans, or £100 for heavier vehicles such as lorries.

From 25 October, the ULEZ is expanding from central London out to the North Circular Road and South Circular Road.

The Birmingham CAZ will charge those people who do not drive a car that meets Euro 4 emissions standards for petrol and Euro 6 for diesel.

These are typically petrol cars made since 2006 and diesel cars since 2015. Those that do not meet these standards will be charged £8 per day.

Bath’s clean air zone only charges commercial vehicles, leaving private cars and motorbikes exempt. High-emission commercial vans are required to pay £9 to enter the city centre, with buses charged £100. Private hire vehicles and taxis will also pay £9.

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