Support for Eligible Households and Businesses to Comply with Glasgow's LEZ

Published: 9th of August, 2022

Ahead of enforcement of Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) next year, we're encouraging drivers and fleet operators to check their vehicles for emissions compliance and to explore the grant support that is available to help eligible households and businesses prepare.

Glasgow's LEZ is an essential measure to protect public health by tackling stubbornly high levels of air pollution in our city centre. The emission standards required to drive into the zone will apply to all vehicles (except for motorbikes and mopeds) from 1 June 2023, with a penalty charge payable for non-compliance. Some vehicle types or uses are exempt however such as vehicles for disabled persons and blue badge holders. Fully electric vehicles comply with LEZ requirements in Scotland.

Those living within the LEZ boundary area will have additional time to prepare, with the enforcement start date for vehicles registered to a residential address within the zone, deferred until 1 June 2024.

LEZ Emissions Requirements:

Emission standards for LEZs in Scotland have been set nationally - these are:

• Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
• Euro 6 for diesel vehicles
• Euro IV for heavy duty petrol vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs
• Euro VI for heavy duty diesel vehicles such as buses/coaches and HGVs

For practical purposes, it is generally the case that diesel engine vehicles registered after September 2015, and petrol vehicles registered from 2006 onwards will meet the required LEZ standards. You may be able to find Euro standard information on the inside of your vehicle's driver or passenger door. For newer vehicles, the Euro standard may be listed on the V5C registration document. If you are in any doubt, you can contact the vehicle manufacturer to check.

Transport Scotland are working on an online tool that will enable motorists to check if their vehicle meets LEZ emission standards by entering their registration number. Until this is ready, they have prepared a basic online vehicle checker.  Whilst the results are not a guarantee or proof that a vehicle can enter a LEZ in Scotland, they can give an indication in the meantime. 

LEZ Grant Funding:

Administered by Energy Saving Trust - a range of grants funded by Transport Scotland are currently available to help you achieve LEZ compliance. These grants offer practical support to low-income households, sole traders, and micro-businesses - including those operating specialist vehicles.

• Eligible households living within a 20km radius of a Low Emission Zone, may be able to apply for a £2,000 grant towards the disposal of a non-compliant vehicle and in addition, up to £1,000 towards alternative sustainable travel options. Find out more about the support available for households here.

• Micro-businesses and sole traders may also be eligible for a £2,000 grant towards the disposal of a non-compliant vehicle under the Low Emission Zone Support Fund for businesses, and up to £1,000 towards the purchase of a cargo or electric cargo bike.

• Sole traders and micro businesses operating taxis, vans and specialist vehicles may be interested in the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund, which offers up to 80% funding towards the installation of retrofit solutions to make vehicles LEZ compliant based on emission standards. Please note, not all vehicle types or makes and models have a solution available. Please visit Energy Saving Trust's website for more information.

E-Bike and Electric Vehicle Loans:

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for any of the grants highlighted above, you may be interested in options to purchase an e-bike or electric vehicle:

• eBike Loan
• eBike Business Loan
• Used Electric Vehicle Loan
• Switched On Taxis Loan
• Low Carbon Transport Business Loan

Check out Energy Saving Trust's website for full details of the grants and loans available and eligibility requirements.

Bus Emission Abatement Retroft (BEAR):

Administered by Transport Scotland, the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) scheme supports bus and coach operators with the financial costs associated with engine and exhaust retrofitting to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The latest round of BEAR funding has made a further £5 million available for 2022/23 to licensed bus and coach operators, local authorities and community transport operators.