On 1 June 2021 Birmingham launched its Clean Air Zone, which will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The charges are being applied daily, effective from 14 June 2021. A non-compliant vehicle driving in the Zone will pay once for the day, then may drive in the area without limit on that day.

The Clean Air Zone will be used to encourage the drivers of the most polluting vehicles to upgrade or replace their vehicle. People are also being encouraged to think about walking, cycling or using public transport more – especially for shorter journeys. And it will encourage this change by applying a daily fee to vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone.

To avoid paying to drive in the Clean Air Zone the vehicle will need to meet certain criteria, depending on the fuel type: LPG added to original petrol engine (Euro 4 standard or better), natural gas (Euro 6 standard or better), and fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell, are among the exceptions.

“After more than two years of planning, I’m delighted to launch Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. This is a bold move that will help to address some significant health inequalities in our city. This is also an important step in encouraging people to re-think how we all move around the city,” said Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE. “I’m confident that this initiative will save lives, and provide a cleaner, greener, safer space for our communities in a part of our city that has a problem with poor air quality.”

Cars, taxis and LGVs which do not meet the Clean Air Zone emission standard will be charged £8 a day, while non-compliant coaches, buses and HGVs will pay £50 per day. For more information, please check this link.

23 June 2021