A low emission zone (LEZ) is an area that limits access to the most polluting vehicles with the aim of reducing pollution and improving air quality. Low emission zones (also known as ‘clean air zones’) help to make cities heathier and more attractive places to live, work and visit.
How Do Low Emission Zones Work?
Low Emission Zones used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera to monitor vehicles and detect those who do not comply with the emission standards. Vehicles that don’t meet the standards may be subject to a penalty charge notice.
The entry criteria for these zones is based on Euro emission engine classification standards. This means that drivers of diesel cars and vans must adhere to Euro 6 emission standards (generally cars registered from 2016) and petrol cars and vans must meet Euro 4 emission standards (generally cars registered from 2006).
Which UK Cities Have Low Emission Zones?
- London
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Portsmouth
- Oxford
- Sheffield
- Tyneside (Newcastle & Gateshead)
- Aberdeen
- Dundee
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
There are also plans to introduce LEZs to areas of Greater Manchester.
How Do Low Emission Zones Affect Car Scrapping Rates?
Recent studies have shown that in areas where low emission zones have been introduced, there has been a huge increase in motorists looking to scrap their cars. In fact, one study has shown that in some areas of Scotland there has been a 64% increase in people looking to scrap their cars compared to the this time last year.
This is because motorists in Scotland and the rest of the UK now face hefty fines if they drive older petrol and diesel cars into city centres, meaning that in many cases, non-compliant cars have become too expensive to run.
The value of these older cars has also dropped considerably since the introduction of penalties, so for many owners, opting to scrap their older polluting wheels so they can get newer, lower emission ones is the most sensible and convenient decision.
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If you’re living in a low emission zone and need to scrap your car, you can trust us at A&L Vehicle Recycling to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Simply click the link below and enter your registration and postcode to generate a FREE instant quote for your car or contact us directly and a member of our team will be happy to help!
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Alternatively, check out our Scrap Car FAQs for more information.
