Bristol Clean Air Zone: Overview Guide

Does Bristol have a Clean Air Zone? Yes, it does. Since November 2022, the Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has been operational.

It encompasses a portion of the city where air quality has historically been recorded as being poor - primarily down to vehicular emissions. Particularly from diesel engines.

Overview of Bristol Clean Air Zone

The Clean Air Zone in Bristol was established to target high emission vehicles. Such as older diesel and petrol cars. If a car does meet the exemption emission criteria, they will be met with a daily charge.

Vehicles that comply, and are therefore not liable for the fee, include Euro 4, 5, and 6 petrol vehicles (as a rule of thumb this is models from 2006 onward) and Euro 6 diesel vehicles (models from late 2015 onwards).

Fully electric and/or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle are also exempt.

Bristol Clean Air Zone Map

The Bristol CAZ targets the central area of the city. An area that has historically exceeded legal limits pollution goals.

It includes major routes such as the Cumberland Basin and Portway. The zone has been designed to ensure the fastest possible improvement in air quality. Whilst trying to balance the effects of the scheme on local businesses and commuters.

CAZ Charges and Payments

The payment system to deal with daily charges has been designed to be straightforward.

Daily rates are set at £9 for most vehicles, including private cars and taxis, and £100 for larger vehicles. Including buses and heavy goods vehicles.

The system permits unlimited entries and exits from the zone on a single day's charge.

For those who are required to pay, the following table details the vehicle type and corresponding charge:

Bristol Clean Air Zone Impact and Goals

So far, the CAZ has significantly reduced nitrogen dioxide levels around key areas like the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Children’s Hospital.

Initial data suggests a 10% reduction in nitrogen dioxide city-wide since the zone's implementation??.

The primary goal is to achieve compliance with legal air quality limits as soon as possible, with a focus on reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.

Bristol CAZ Financial Support and Incentives

In a bid to help motorists transition, the Bristol City Council has set up financial support and incentives to encourage residents and businesses to move to cleaner vehicles.

This has so far included the likes of grants and loans for upgrading non-compliant vehicles.

There's significant funding available for those needing to change vehicles, including £2,000 for cars and up to £16,000 for heavier vehicles??.

Vehicle Compliance and Checking Tools

To determine if your vehicle meets the emission standards required to enter the Clean Air Zone in Bristol, without a charge, Bristol City Council provides an online tool.

Simply enter your vehicle registration number and this tool will quickly inform you whether you need to pay the daily charge or if your vehicle is exempt.

This system is linked to national vehicle databases and helps ensure that all information is up-to-date and accurate.

Use the tool here.

Where are CAZ zones located?

Clean air zones are typically implemented in cities with significant air pollution from vehicles.

Cities across Europe and the UK, including London and Bath, use these zones as a measure to reduce emissions and improve public health?.

At the time of writing, fully enforced zones can be found in:

• London (mostly ULEZ since 2023)
• Glasgow LEZ
• Bath CAZ
• Bradford CAZ
• Portsmouth CAZ
• Birmingham CAZ
• Bristol CAZ
• Oxford CAZ

On top of this list, new LEZs with plans to fully enforce are coming soon to:

• Edinburgh LEZ (full enforcement planned May 2024)
• Aberdeen LEZ (full enforcement planned May 2024)
• Dundee LEZ (full enforcement planned May 2024)

Further Information: Bristol CAZ

Residents and visitors can check if their vehicles are compliant using an online tool provided by the government, and various resources are available for understanding the zone's boundaries and regulations.

Bristol's CAZ is a crucial step towards creating a healthier environment for all city dwellers by targeting a major source of urban air pollution and providing structured support to ease the transition for affected parties.

For more detailed information about the Bristol Clean Air Zone and to view maps or check vehicle compliance, visit the Bristol City Council's dedicated CAZ webpage.