Financial help for dealers as part of Clean Air Zone vehicle upgrade scheme
Local businesses can now access financial support to help upgrade their vehicles to comply with travel when Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone comes into force next year.
All ten Greater Manchester local authorities have approved the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan, which includes a government directed ‘Category C’ charging Clean Air Zone.
GM has secured more than £120m government funding to help local businesses, people and organisations to upgrade to cleaner vehicles, so they can travel in a GM-wide Clean Air Zone without incurring a daily charge.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is now seeking vehicle dealers to join the GM Clean Air Plan accredited dealership scheme.
Vehicles included in the category C GM Clean Air Zone are LGVs, HGVs, buses, coaches, minibuses, motorhomes, private hire vehicles and hackney carriages which do not meet emissions standards.
Private cars, mopeds and motorcycles are not included in the Zone.
Megan Black, Head of Logistics and Environment at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: “We’re preparing to roll out one of the biggest Clean Air Zones in Europe from next year and this includes the distribution of more than £120m in funding support to help eligible local businesses and drivers to upgrade non-compliant vehicles as soon as possible.
“That’s why we need a network of accredited dealers who supply vehicles of the types that will be affected by the Clean Air Zone, from hackney cabs and private hire vehicles to lorries, vans, minibuses, buses and coaches.
“This isn’t a scrappage scheme, and it’s not open to brokers. We’re looking to work with independent, franchised and manufacturer direct dealerships for both new and used vehicles to help make sure that those eligible for financial support from the scheme can easily upgrade to compliant vehicles.
“I’d encourage any dealers who meet our criteria to register their interest now.”
Grants and vehicle finance subsidies will be available for affected vehicle owners and businesses in Greater Manchester from November 2021.
The support comes as work progresses for the Greater Manchester-wide Clean Air Zone launching on 30 May 2022, with the first Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras now installed.
The first ANPR camera was installed on Vernon Street in Bolton in August, with around 850 more to follow to enforce any non-payment of daily charges.
Clean Air Zone signage is also being introduced on the highways network across the city-region.
