ULEZ and Clean Air Zones are impacting car values across the UK. Compliant car values are high and could increase further this year, while non-compliant cars could drop in value.
They are already in force in London in the form of the ULEZ (or ultra-low emission zone) which will become London-wide in August 2023.
There are similar schemes in Bath, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Oxford (which has a zero emission zone pilot) with more cities planning to introduce them.
Clean air zones are designed to tackle pollution and make the air we breathe safer in our cities.
But what exactly is a clean air sone, why do they exist, what types do you get and how do they affect you as a driver?
What are clean air zones?
To improve air quality, some local authorities are introducing clean air zones. If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, you may have to pay a charge if you drive in a clean air zone.
A clean air zone (CAZ) is an area where the local authority is actively trying to improve the quality of the air.
Clean air zones were originally conceived to affect only buses, taxes and lorries, but has now expanded to include private vehicles in other words – the car you drive!
It’s part of the broader plan to improve air quality, which will see petrol and diesel cars phased out by 2030 with hybrid models’ demise following five years later. Don’t be confused by this, you won’t have to stop driving a petrol or diesel car in 2030, you just won’t be able to buy a new one.
Why are clean air zones coming into force?
It is estimated that over 40,000 deaths each year can be attributed to exposure to outdoor pollution. It has been linked to cancer, asthma, strokes, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia.The knock-on effects to business and the national health service are said to cost the country more than £20 billion every year.
Reports like this and pressure from environmental groups such as the World Health Organisation mean that government ministers were ordered to introduce measures designed to tackle the amount of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in our air – clean air zones are central to this.
What types of clean air zones are there?
You’ll come across two types of clean air zone –
Charging and Non-charging.
Non-charging clean air zone will work to improve air quality without imposing a tariff on vehicles entering the zone. This can be done in a variety of ways such as improving traffic flow management and public transport networks. But also through government initiatives that advise on the health impacts of poor quality air, encourage the use of cycles and advise us to do things like switching our engines off when we’re stationary.
This approach is designed to change attitudes towards air pollution, steering us towards behaviour that lowers it. Clean air zones that are charging take a more direct approach by simply placing a tariff on any vehicle that’s liable to enter the zone.
This charge is usually based on your car’s emissions, in London’s ULEZ – diesels that don’t conform to Euro 6 and petrols that don’t pass Euro 4 standards pay a fee.
Classes of clean air zones
Charging clean air zones fall under four Classes – Class A, B, C and D. Class A covers buses, coaches and taxis, Class B effects buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, while Class C goes a step further bringing buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans
and minibuses under its remit.
Class D is the toughest and covers buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, vans, minibuses and cars, the local authority also has the option to include motorcycles.
What are the clean air zones in the UK?
A number of cities in England such as Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth and London have CAZs already operating, while others such as Sheffield and Tyneside are due to introduce them in 2023.
Bath has a Class C clean air zone.
Birmingham has a Class D clean air zone.
Bradford has a Class C clean air zone.
Bristol has a Class D clean air zone.
Portsmouth has a Class B clean air zone.
Sheffield has a Class C clean air zone.
Tyneside (Newcastle and Gateshead) has a Class C clean air zone.
Future clean air zones
Greater Manchester.
What impact will Clean Air Zones have on future car values?
The UK government has pledged to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with hybrid cars going off sale in 2035. While this covers the sale of new cars, it’s not clear how these changes will effect cars that are already on the road.
Older diesel cars are already taxed more heavily and some will be liable to pay emissions zone charges like London’s ULEZ. Newer diesels are much cleaner and don’t carry the same financial penalties, however, they need regular motorway runs to keep their DPF filters clear.
If you’re buying a second hand car that you’ll drive into a Clean Air Zone, you’ll want to choose a car that conforms to its regulations. In other words, you want a Euro 6 diesel (one sold from 2015 onwards) or a Euro 4 petrol, which were sold from 2005.
Are are thinking about changing your current vehicle to a ULEZ/CAZ compliant vehicle?
Here at Car Auction Buying Service, we’re dedicated to finding the very best deal at auction for you, attending events arranged by British Car Auctions, Manheim and Aston Barclay, plus many more.
We assist in bidding and provide the support you need to buy successfully from the auction; without the need for you to travel across the country need to buy successfully from the auction; without the need for you to travel across the country.
Thanks to our multiple trade accounts we pay much lower buyers premiums compared to private buyers. We then pass that saving on to you!
We scrutinise the cosmetic reports and mechanical reports that accompany each vehicle.
Our team can also provide trade price warranties and deliver your car to any location in the UK.
To find out more, or to inquire about buying your next vehicle from a nationwide or local car auctions, please give us a call on 0121 769 1729. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form.
