Edinburgh set to implement low-emission zone in 2022

Older petrol and diesel vehicles likely to be banned from city centre after two-year grace period

A low-emission zone (LEZ) will be implemented in Edinburgh city centre from 2022 if plans receive approval on 17 June, with a two-year grace period. 

The LEZ, as with similar schemes in Birmingham, London, Oxford and Bath, would see all non-Euro 6 compliant diesel vehicles banned from spring next year, along with all petrol vehicles that do not meet Euro 4 emissions standards. 

The decision would mean buses and HGVs would also be banned from the city centre; local public transport provider Lothian Buses is already aiming to meet compliance standards by the end of the year.

Those who do not comply with the proposed regulations will face a penalty charge of £60, which is halved if paid within 30 days. 

Penalties will roughly double for repeat offences within any 90-day period, and the maximum fine for smaller vehicles will be capped at £420, with £900 the maximum charge for HGVs. Fines are not expected to start until 2024, the City of Edinburgh Council said.

“A great deal of analysis and monitoring has gone into the latest proposals for a Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh,” said Lesley Macinnes, transport and environment convener. “This takes into account the urgent need to lower emissions for the good of our health, while remaining aware of the impact on local businesses, residents and on traffic patterns.”

“We know from our consultation in 2019 that lowering air pollution matters to everyone, so I look forward to hearing from the public on the preferred option, if approved by committee.”

There were initial plans for clean air zones in four Scottish cities; Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, but the pandemic contributed to delays. The decision for Edinburgh’s low-emission zone will be made on 17 June, on Clean Air Day. 

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