Low Emission Zone Support Fund re-opens to new applications

Published: 31 August 2023

The LEZ Support Fund, which helps households and small businesses prepare for Low Emission Zones in Scotland, has re-opened to new applications.

Funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Energy Saving Trust, the means-tested programme offers financial support to households and micro-businesses by incentivising sustainable travel options.

And, through the LEZ Retrofit Fund for microbusinesses - light goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and wheelchair accessible taxis can be retrofitted to LEZ requirements.

City Convener for Climate and Transport, Cllr Angus Millar said: "I'm pleased that the Scottish Government and Energy Saving Trust's LEZ Support Fund has reopened and can continue, as it has in previous years, to help eligible households, smaller businesses and sole traders to travel more sustainably and meet the required LEZ air quality standards.

"With £5m available this year, the fund will support the transition to LEZ compliance and more breathable air for all of us.

"Over the last four years, around £4m has been awarded to eligible households and smaller business in the Glasgow region, whilst £1.4m has been paid out for taxi retrofits - with public hire taxi operators in the city now either LEZ compliant or subject to an exemption until next year to allow extra time to achieve compliance.

"I would encourage households and businesses to check their eligibility to see if they can take advantage of this year's funding availability."

The LEZ Support Fund provides households and microbusiness or sole traders with a grant of £2,000 to incentivise the disposal of a vehicle which does not meet LEZ requirements. The fund will also offer up to a further £1,000 in mobility grants or Travel Better credits to purchase a bike, e-bike or public transport vouchers.

The LEZ Retrofit Fund offers grants of up to 70% to cover the cost of a vehicle retrofit - with microbusinesses and sole traders able to apply for funding for up to three vehicles to be retrofitted.

Grants are offered on a first come, first served basis subject to availability.  

Full details, including eligibility requirements are available on Energy Saving Trust website.

Glasgow's Low Emission Zone

Glasgow's LEZ came into force on 1 June 2023, joining hundreds of cities across Europe who have introduced similar initiatives to ensure safer, cleaner air.

The scheme, which effectively excludes the most polluting vehicles from the city centre, protects public health by tackling unacceptably high levels of harmful air pollution that have stubbornly persisted in areas of the zone.

All vehicles entering Glasgow's LEZ, must meet the less-polluting emission standards, or face a penalty charge.

There are some exemptions, such as for blue badge holders, and zone residents have until next June to prepare.

Check your vehicle for LEZ compliance by clicking on this link.

Related Content

Documents

• LEZ Support Fund - Households (PDF) [637KB]
• LEZ Support Fund - Businesses (PDF) [365KB]
• LEZ Support Fund - Retrofit Fund (PDF) [416KB]