Businesses to apply for £23m fund for Clean Air Charging Zone
Businesses in Leeds are being urged to apply for £23m worth of financial support being made available to owners, leaseholders, and operators of affected vehicles to help them prepare for the city’s Clean Air Charging Zone (CAZ).
Grants and interest-free loans are being made available to assist vehicle owners with the costs of switching to less polluting vehicles that won’t be charged for driving within the zone.
Owners of non-scheduled buses and coaches based in or operating within Leeds are now able to apply for grants of up to £16,000 to upgrade or retrofit their non-compliant vehicles.
Operators of heavy goods vehicles will be able to apply for similar £16,000 grants from 18 March.
In addition, owners and leaseholders of taxi and private hire vehicles that have been licensed with Leeds City Council for one year or longer will be able to choose between applying for either a £10,000 interest-free loan per vehicle or a £1,500 grant per vehicle to cover transitional costs.
Taxi and private hire applications will open to owners and leaseholders of a single vehicle from April 1 and to owners and operators of multiple vehicles from June 1.
Cllr James Lewis, executive member with responsibility for sustainability and resources, said:
“Having received the green light for it in January, Leeds City Council are working hard to ensure the successful delivery of the Clean Air Charging Zone by January 6.
“Like most resident in Leeds, we believe that tackling air pollution to protect the health of everyone in the city is a priority. We recognise that this transition will be difficult for some businesses to make. However, we are pleased to confirm that £23m of financial support is being made available to directly help those affected.
“By making the switch to cleaner vehicles more affordable for local businesses, this financial support will minimise the zone’s economic impact whilst helping to improve air quality in Leeds.”
The aim of the Clean Air Charging Zone is to reduce air pollution in Leeds by encouraging businesses to transition to cleaner, less polluting vehicles that are not subject to charges for driving within the zone boundary. Private cars, vans or motorcycles will not be charged.
Money from charges will only be used to cover the costs of operating the zone, to support owners of affected vehicles, and for other schemes that will improve air quality in the city.
The Clean Air Charging Zone will come into effect from the 6 January 2020.
