Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt Many firms unaware of Clean Air Zones, BVRLA finds
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

Many firms unaware of Clean Air Zones, BVRLA finds

Date: 31 July 2018   |   Author: Sean Keywood

Research by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has found that 40% of small- and medium-sized businesses are unaware that Clean Air Zones (CAZs) will be introduced in UK towns and cities as early as next year.

The research also found that 38% were unaware that CAZs are likely to involve   charges for all but the most modern and least polluting diesel vehicles.

The BVRLA says that in some cities, these charges will be as much as £100 per day for an HGV and £12.50 per day for other vehicles such as taxis and vans. Plus, some local authorities have already announced plans to charge drivers of more polluting diesel cars a CAZ-entry fee.

Leeds, Derby, Nottingham, Southampton and Birmingham have been told to introduce CAZs by 2020, while another 23 local authorities have also been earmarked for CAZ implementation and a further 33 are considering what approach to take as part of air quality strategies.

In London, a 24/7 Ultra-Low Emission Zone will be introduced from April 2019, and is then set to be extended to an area 18 times larger than its initial size by 25 October 2021.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: "Unless more is done to publicise the impact of these various CAZs and mitigate their impact, hundreds of thousands of businesses across the country will be hit with a new regional road transport tax that will bring additional cost and confusion at a time when firms are already dealing with Brexit-related economic uncertainty.

"Our members have spent the last ten years helping businesses to meet the requirements of the London Low Emission Zone and they understand the costs and operational challenges that businesses will face with the introduction of new CAZs across the UK."

The BVRLA wants policymakers to introduce a range of measures to help fleets transition to cleaner vehicles. This includes only using CAZs where necessary; minimising the zone sizes; standardising CAZ operation, signage, communications and exemptions; and committing to trials of a mobility credit scheme whereby drivers of older cars could be offered credits towards public transport, car hire and car sharing if they agree to scrap their pollutant vehicles.

 



Share


Subscribe