‘Widespread confusion’ over Clean Air Zones

New research has revealed widespread confusion amongst motorists in Bristol over upcoming changes to Clean Air Zones, and whether their cars will be compliant.

The figures from carwow show that two in three (64%) are unsure if their cars will incur charges, while just one in three (36%) say they are confident they understand how the zones work.

Bristol introduced its Clean Air Zone in November 2022, charging drivers of non-compliant cars a £9 daily fee to enter into a small portion of the centre of the city.

Since Bristol’s CAZ was introduced in November 2022, carwow has seen a 101% increase in drivers selling non-compliant used-cars via its Sell My Car service across the UK, driven by the increased awareness of low emissions zones and the planned expansion of London’s ULEZ scheme.

Bristol’s CAZ covers a small central area of the city, bordered by roads including Queen’s Parade, Upper Maudlin Street, Marlborough Street, Bond Street, York Road, Coronation Road and Brunel Road, plus a few residential streets just outside the border of those roads. A spur of Hotwell road to the west of the city is also inside the zone, as is the eastern side of Bridge Valley Road.

Bristol’s CAZ operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Drivers of diesel cars not meeting Euro 6 emission regulations (mostly those sold prior to 2016), and petrol cars not meeting Euro 4 rules (mainly pre-2005/6 cars) have to pay to enter the zone.

Broad support for Clean Air Zones, despite confusion
Despite widespread confusion around whether their cars will be affected, carwow’s research finds broad support for the schemes, indicating that people are in favour of using emission zones to reduce air pollution.

44% of Bristolians polled support the zones compared to just 26% who oppose them. Furthermore, more than half (57%) of those surveyed agree that the ULEZ expansion and other new Clean Air Zones will help build a better world for future generations.

Despite support, Brits feel time is wrong to expand zones now
carwow’s study also indicates that while support is there for the growth of Clean Air Zones across the UK, there remain strong reservations over their timing. Almost six in 10 (59%) of all those surveyed think that given the cost of living crisis, now is the wrong time to grow these zones.

This rises to 70% for those living in the Clean Air Zones who are more likely to be impacted on a daily basis. And with 8% of Bristolians saying their vehicles are non-compliant but they cannot afford to switch, many will be increasingly concerned as zone expansions draw near.

In light of the upcoming changes, carwow’s in-house expert is recommending drivers investigate whether their cars meet CAZ criteria sooner, rather than later.

Hugo Griffiths, consumer editor and automotive expert at carwow, said: “Drivers are caught between rocks and hard places when it comes to the rise of the Clean Air Zone. On the one hand there’s broad support for improving urban air quality and a general sense that emission zones are the right way to go about this, but on the other many people are simply too up against it to think that now is the right time to be expanding or introducing zones.

“The silver lining is that for those on tight budgets, a compliant car can be relatively affordable as long as you’re prepared to compromise: any petrol car from 2006 onwards should make the Clean Air Zone grade.

“Be sure to use carwow’s online ULEZ checker, as the same emission regulations are being used for all clean air zones, while because these rules were introduced over time, there’s no hard and fast rule for whether or not a vehicle will be compliant.

“If your car doesn’t meet the requirements and you frequently drive into an area covered by a CAZ, it could be a good idea to consider selling it sooner rather than later. The reason being, is that it’s not the only UK city with this type of scheme; four new zones are coming into force in Scotland over the next year or so, while the expansion of ULEZ across Greater London will see it cover a vast area from late August. We expect that non-compliant cars could potentially lose value in the coming months across the UK, as a result of an influx in supply and a decreasing number of potential buyers.”

There are exemptions 
Any diesel or diesel-electric hybrid car that meets Euro 6 rules, and any petrol car, or petrol-electric hybrid meeting Euro 4 regulations is exempt from Bristol’s CAZ fees. Electric cars are all totally exempt.

Bristol’s CAZ operates on the same Euro 6/4 principles as London’s ULEZ, so you can find out if your car meets these standards by popping its registration into our ULEZ tracker, or heading over to the Government’s CAZ checker.

carwow’s latest research shows that 63% of individuals surveyed admitted they’d be more likely to get an EV if grants were available to help them – this stat rose 66% for Bristol.