Bristol Clean Air Zone to launch in November

Bristol will launch its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) on November 28, charging drivers between £9 and £100 per day to enter parts of the city.

The city has decided to implement a Class D CAZ, which will require drivers of all older, non-compliant, vehicles to pay a daily fee to enter the zone. The plans were initally drawn up in March 2021.

Cars, taxis and vans that don’t meet the required emissions standard will be charged £9 per day, while trucks, buses and coaches will pay £100.

Exemptions apply for petrol vehicles that meet Euro 4 standard and diesels that meet Euro 6 standard. Electric and hydrogen vehicles are also exempt, as are motorbikes and modified or retrofitted vehicles registered with the Energy Saving Trust’s Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS).

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: “This is a major milestone on our journey to clean air. We have now agreed a launch date for the zone with government ministers and officials at the Joint Air Quality Unit. On Monday 28 November Bristol will introduce one of the most far-reaching zones in the UK.

“Poor air quality has a major impact on the health of everyone in the city and the Clean Air Zone will help us tackle this issue and meet government targets for cleaner air in 2023. 

“Most drivers on Bristol roads won’t need to pay the daily charge but if you do then you may be eligible for financial support to upgrade your vehicle.”

The council is supporting people on low incomes and Bristol-based businesses prepare for the zone and has £42 million of funding to help those that need to replace vehicles to meet the zone’s emission standards.

Rees added: “We’re making sure that the Clean Air Zone won’t have a detrimental impact on people on low incomes or businesses. With five months until the zone starts, there’s still time to get help from the council if you need to replace your vehicle.”

Two thirds of vehicles are already able to travel in the zone free of charge, but an exemption is available until July 2023 for those that are successful in applying for financial support and have yet to receive their new vehicle.