Third round of Clean Air Zone funding opens to large vehicle businesses

Leeds City Council is inviting operators of heavy goods vehicles and non-scheduled buses and coaches to apply for a third round of financial support to help owners, leaseholders, and operators of affected vehicles prepare for the Clean Air Charging Zone (CAZ).

Earlier this year, the council secured government funding to help owners of affected vehicles switch to less polluting vehicles that won’t be charged for driving within the zone.

More than £6.29m of financial support has already been provisionally approved for affected businesses. The council is now launching a further funding round to provide another opportunity for operators of heavy goods vehicles and non-scheduled buses and coaches to apply for financial support.

Applications are now open for owners of heavy goods vehicles and non-scheduled buses and coaches based in or operating within Leeds to apply for grants of up to £16,000 to upgrade or retrofit their non-compliant vehicles. Applications will be open until December 13.

Meanwhile, owners, operators, and leasers of taxi and private hire vehicles that have been licenced and driving with Leeds City Council for one year or longer (prior to 17 October 2018) can still choose between applying for either a £10,000 interest-free loan per vehicle (which can be used towards switching to a compliant model or retrofitting to liquefied petroleum gas - LPG) or a £1,500 grant per vehicle to cover transitional costs to a new, compliant vehicle. The full eligibility criteria can be found here.

Leeds City Council has confirmed that a number of vehicles - including those used by emergency services, eligible school buses, and those with a historic tax class - will qualify for temporary or permanent exemptions and will not pay charges.

Leeds City Council's director of resources and housing Neil Evans said:

“Leeds City Council is working hard to tackle air pollution and protect the health of everyone in our city. This funding will help owners of affected vehicles switch to less polluting models that won’t be charged. This is a great way to support local businesses in preparation for the charging zone. I strongly encourage every affected business to visit our website today and find out more about the financial support options available."

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Rebecca Watson

rebecca.watson@leeds.gov.uk

01133 781885