Leased vehicles may escape Birmingham CAZ charge

Leased trucks, vans and coaches that do not meet Euro 6 emissions standards may be exempted from the penalty charges to be imposed in the Birmingham clean air zone (CAZ) next year.

The Birmingham CAZ comes into effect from January 2020. While no vehicles will be banned from entering the CAZ, the most polluting (pre-Euro 6 for diesel) will be required to pay a daily charge to use all roads within the A4540 Middleway ring-road.

The daily charge is £50 for trucks and coaches, and £8 for cars and vans.

Birmingham City Council has said it is seeking permission from central government to provide charging exemptions for up to two vehicles per company registered to addresses within the CAZ, and exemptions for vehicles leased by businesses where the lease extends beyond January 2020.