Brighton & Hove’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Brighton is known for its aims to make driving through the city centre as off-putting as possible, and with campaigners regularly asking for tighter restrictions within the city, let us guide you through everything you need to know about the current Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and potential Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

Where are the zones in place?

Brighton’s Low Emission Zones currently cover Castle Square, North Street and Western Road as far as Palmeira Square – a small footprint but covers 98% of all bus movements in the city. 

Do I need to pay the daily fee?

At present, the Zone only covers roads which are for buses and taxis only. Any bus not complying with Euro 5 emission standards or better is charged (although this will tighten to Euro 6 in 2024). Taxis are not currently required to pay any daily fees, but taxi drivers are asked to observe a ‘no engine idling’ policy at taxi ranks.

A local counciller has stated that there are no plans for a London-style ULEZ for Brighton residents. Local air-quality campaigners disagree, however, and believe there should be a system in place that would see all of Brighton & Hove south of the A27 covered by the scheme.

How much will I pay?

There has been no information on how much the charges would be for an expanded ULEZ in Brighton & Hove. Prices across the country for similar charges can range from £8 up to £18 for personal cars, rising into three figures for drivers of larger vehicles.

Can I get a grant to get a compliant vehicle?

As there is no ULEZ in place, there are no current grants in place to make things easier for you to buy a more ecological car. However, if you own an electric vehicle, the government will provide 75% of the cost of an EV chargepoint at domestic properties through the EV chargepoint grant.

Scrap your car for the best price with Scrap Car Comparison

While nothing has been officially put in place yet, there is the possibility that driving in Brighton is going to become much more costly for owners of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles over the coming years, so why not get ahead of the game and get yourself an EV now and be ready for when the charges come into effect. Thanks to a nationwide network of specialist buyers, Scrap Car Comparison can guarantee you the very best price for your old car in no time at all. With the money being paid directly into your bank account, you can put it towards an electric vehicle the same day your old car is collected. 

Get started today and find out just how much your old car could be worth and be ready for when the inevitable charges are put in place.