Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

In line with a number of other cities across Scotland, the capital city of Edinburgh has introduced a Low Emission Zone. Let Scrap Car Comparison guide you through everything you need to know, from its location to the vehicles affected.

Where is the LEZ in place?

Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone encompasses the heart of the Scottish capital. Unlike other cities in the UK, there are no obvious ring roads around Edinburgh, so the LEZ boundary will form a circle around the city from Tollcross in the south to Palmerston Place in the west, along Queen Street in the New Town to Picardy Place. Around Abbeyhill and onto Holyrood Road, along the Pleasance in the east before heading back along the Meadows to Tollcross.

A map of the zone can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council’s website. 

Do I need to pay the daily fee?

Like all LEZ schemes in Scotland, and many across wider Britain, compliance is based on car’s emission standards. These are the following:

• Petrol-powered vehicles – Euro 4 (generally 2006 onwards)
• Diesel-powered vehicles – Euro 6 (generally the end of 2015 onwards)

Any cars that meet these standards, along with vehicles powered by alternative fuels (such aselectric or hydrogen-powered vehicles), will be able to drive freely within the city without incurring any penalties.

How much will I pay?

Unlike Clean Air Zones in England, where daily charges can be as little as £8, non-compliant vehicles in Scotland’s Low Emission Zones immediately incur a Penalty Charge Notice of £60. This is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. Any vehicles that re-enter the LEZ within 90 days of a PCN will have their charge doubled. This price will continue to double for subsequent re-entries up to a maximum of £480 for cars and light goods vehicles, and £960 for heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches.

Can I get a grant to get a compliant vehicle?

With a number of LEZs being implemented in Scotland’s largest cities, the Scottish government has set up a specific website for helping those who will be directly affected by the implementation to get themselves a more appropriate vehicle. Residents must live within 20km of an LEZ and will be provided with £2000 to put towards a compliant vehicle.

Full details on who can apply, and how to do so, can be found on the Low Emissions Scotland website.

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