Portsmouth’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ)

The home of the Royal Navy, anyone who’s tried to commute in or out of Portsmouth knows full well just how many cars are packed in the city – it is after all the third most populated island in all of the British Isles after Great Britain and Ireland. It’s no surprise, then, that at the end of 2019 a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) was implemented within the city. Let Scrap Car Comparison guide you through where it is, what it covers and how much it costs.

Where is the CAZ in place?

Portsmouth’s CAZ sits at the South West of the city, beginning at its Northern end at Kingston Crescent, following the Fratton Road all the way down to the A2030 and Winston Churchill Avenue. It also covers Gunwharf Quays, Ravelin Park and the area surrounding HMS Temeraire. Almost all of Portsea is included in the CAZ, and it runs up the A3 as far as the Victory Retail Park. The Naval Base and Old Portsmouth are not included.

A map of the CAZ can be found on the Cleaner Air Portsmouth website.

What vehicles are covered in the CAZ?

Only HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles are covered in Portsmouth’s CAZ, and the only vehicles within these groups that will pay the charge are those that do not meet the following criteria:

• Petrol – Euro 3 emissions standards or older (Euro 4 compliant)
• Diesel – Euro 5 emissions standards or older (Euro 6 compliant)

Being a Class B Clean Air Zone (more on CAZ class types here), private cars, motorcycles and vans are not covered, meaning the average motorist can drive through the city without incurring any costs. Some private motorhomes are categorised as HGVs by the DVLA, and will therefore be charged, so it’s worth checking your own vehicle’s status before you travel.

GOV.UK offers a service where you can check if charges apply to your vehicle, although this service is only available for vehicles registered in the UK. Charges will still apply to vehicles registered outside of the UK.

For a breakdown of what each class of CAZ means, we’ve put together a handy guide, breaking down what qualifies for each type of scheme.

How much will I pay?

As with most Clean Air Schemes, there is a daily charge in place for non-compliant vehicles, and these rates are as follows:

• Taxi/Private hire – £10
• Buses/coaches – £50
• HGVs – £50

You have up to 6 days after you have driven within the CAZ to pay your charge, otherwise you will be handed a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £120 on top of the daily charge.

Can I get a grant to get a compliant vehicle?

There are no government or council-funded grants in place with regards to the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone, however Travel Portsmouth have put together a selection of options for more sustainable travel, such as car sharing, renting e-scooters or simply walking and cycling. For those driving EVs, Portsmouth was recently voted the third most accessible location in the UK for EV charge points.

Scrap your car for the most cash

If you’re looking to go greener and find a car that doesn’t fall foul of the growing number of Clean Air Schemes popping up around the country, then Scrap Car Comparison can help make that happen even if there aren’t any local grants you can make the most of. Our network of scrappers serve central Portsmouth, adjacent coastal towns and the wider Hampshire county.

By scrapping your car with Scrap Car Comparison, you’re guaranteed the best price available as we utilise our nationwide network of specialist buyers to ensure we get as much as possible for your car.

The entire process is completed in no time at all, and the money deposited directly into your account, meaning you’re free to find your eco-friendly replacement as soon as possible.