Edinburgh emission zone compliance rises

Drivers encouraged to make transition to cleaner vehicles before enforcement of LEZ introduced in 2024

Overall compliance with Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) emissions standards has increased by more than 60% over the last six years, new data released by City of Edinburgh Council reveals. Over threequarters of vehicles are now compliant.

However, more than half of diesel cars and a third of light goods vehicles (such as transit vans) travelling on the main routes into Edinburgh do not currently comply with the requirements of the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ), according to the data analysed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

SEPA gathered information from temporarily monitoring automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras placed on main roads leading into the city from the north, south, east and west. The data can be viewed on a publicly accessible tool, developed by SEPA, which compares data from 2016 to 2022.

A city centre LEZ was formally introduced in Edinburgh on 31 May 2022, along with LEZs in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. To help improve air quality and protect public health, Edinburgh’s LEZ will restrict the most polluting vehicles from the boundary, which will significantly reduce harmful traffic-related emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 50% in the zone. Further air quality improvements are expected across the wider city.

A two-year grace period is in place and no penalty charges will be issued during this time to help people and businesses adjust. From 1 June 2024, any vehicles that do not meet the minimum emission standards will be subject to penalties.

Cllr Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: “Last year we joined cities across Scotland to introduce a city centre LEZ, which will play a central role in lowering harmful emissions in Edinburgh. We all have the right to breathe clean air and it’s our duty to do everything in our power to drive down air pollution and protect public health.

“Of course, these kinds of changes take some adjustment, and the two-year grace period is giving people time to prepare and make sure they avoid penalties once enforcement begins. It’s really encouraging that compliance is on the rise across all kinds of vehicles, with the LEZ helping to accelerate this positive transition towards cleaner vehicles.

“There’s still some way to go though, and I’d urge everyone travelling into Edinburgh to find out more about the LEZ, the support on offer and options for travelling more sustainably, choosing to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport