More Clean Air Zones confirmed

Motorhome owners have been warned more towns and cities are looking to penalise high-polluting vehicles in the future, with some planning to introduce CAZs (Clean Air Zones) in areas of high population and traffic.

CAZ are set to be commonplace across major conurbations in the UK from as soon as next year, and follow on from the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) that has been in operation since 2008, covering most of Greater London (but not the M25 and other connecting motorways).

Glasgow is to be the next UK city to operate a Low Emission Zone – effectively, an urban area where certain diesel-engined vehicles are to pay a charge for driving through. Announcing plans for this, Scotland's Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, said: "Our position is that local authorities should be ambitious, and that all vehicles, including private cars, should be included in a LEZ in a phased manner."

At present, industry bodies like the NCC (National Caravan Council) and the two major clubs (Caravan and Motorhome Club and Camping and Caravanning Club) are lobbying behind the scenes to make the case for leisure vehicles to be exempt from being penalised for entering emission zones. The latest Euro VI diesel engines are already exempt from such charges in London.

As the NCC points out: "It is a particularly complicated issue, as individual towns and cities are each taking a different approach (some, for example, are only targeting buses)."

However, London is also planning a ULEZ – Ultra-Low Emission Zone – which comes into force on April 8, 2019, and covers the centre of the city. This will affect diesel-engined vehicles that are not Euro VI rated, including motorhomes. There will also be charges for petrol-engined vehicles rated less than Euro IV.

Meanwhile, the following English cities have also announced plans for CAZs/LEZs by 2020: Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton. Others carrying out LEZ feasibility studies include Aylesbury Vale, Bath and northeast Somerset, Bradford, Horsham, Lewes, Maidstone, Newcastle upon Tyne, Reading, Sheffield, Wakefield, Waverley and York.

Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, has previously stressed: "Our Clean Air Zones are targeted on the largest vehicles, whilst not affecting car owners and minimising the impact on business. We want to ensure people can continue to drive into city centres and by targeting action at the most polluting coaches, taxis, buses and lorries we will encourage use of cleaner vehicles."

At present, the best place to get updates on CAZs/LEZs is urbanaccessregulations.eu which covers the whole of Europe.

However, this is EU-funded and may not be in operation in the longer term. For London, you can check if your vehicle is eligible for a surcharge by visiting tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/lez-lez-vehicle-checker-35896 and tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/check-your-vehicle.

Related articles;

• Alternatives to diesel
• VW reveals electric concept minivan
• Motorhome base vehicle manufacturers investigate diesel alternatives

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