REVIEW

Key findings

SEPA’s analysis of the data from the Edinburgh LEZ found: is the best way to help keep Edinburgh’s air clean.”

• Overall compliance with emissions standards for all vehicles over the last six years has increased from 48% to 78%.

• Lowest compliance is among diesel cars (50%), light goods vehicles (65%) and taxis (73%). The vehicles with highest compliance are buses (97%), petrol cars (95%) and heavy goods vehicles (86%).

• There have been significant improvements across different vehicle types over the last six years – compliance has increased for taxis from 21% to 73%, for buses from 24% to 97%, for LGVs from 7% to 66% and from 38% to 86%.

• The proportion of new cars registered that are diesel has fallen from almost 50% to 11% over the past 15 years. Around 55% of new cars registered are now petrol and 36% of new cars are electric or hybrid.

Dr Colin Gillespie, Air Modelling Unit manager at SEPA, said: “The development of LEZs across Scotland is built on science led by SEPA’s air quality modelling work. As part of the development of Edinburgh’s LEZ scheme, councillors used bespoke modelling tools to make informed decisions on the most appropriate way to achieve air quality improvements across the city. This latest data shows positive changes are being made, such as the increasing numbers of electric or hybrid vehicles being registered.

“Air pollution is one of the most important environmental health risks of our time, so the introduction of LEZs will aim to accel- erate air quality improvements in the most polluted areas of our cities.”

LEZ restrictions will apply to motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds. Vehicles must meet the minimum emissions standards to drive into the zone freely, though national exemptions will apply including for Blue Badge holders and emergency vehicles. Zero emission vehicles (electric) may enter the zone freely.

There is national grant funding available to help those who are most likely to find it difficult adjusting to the changes. Eligible small businesses, sole traders and households on low incomes within 20km (12 miles) of the zone can apply for grants from the Energy Saving Trust.