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Low Emission Zone Support Fund

Funding to help you get ready for the low emission zones

Low emission zones (LEZs), aiming to help tackle poor air quality in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee are now live.

Funding has been made available through the LEZ Support Fund to help households meet the upcoming LEZ measures.

What are LEZs?

LEZs are areas within the city where access to more polluting vehicles is restricted to improve air quality.

Your vehicle will have to meet the emission standards set for an LEZ if you want to drive within the zone. After a grace period, once enforcement is in place, you will be issued a penalty charge if you travel with a non-compliant vehicle within the area.

Vehicles that will be free to enter the zones without incurring a penalty are:

  • Euro 4 or newer petrol vehicles – this generally applies to those registered after 2006.
  • Euro 6 or newer diesel vehicles – this generally applies to those registered after September 2015.
  • All fully electric vehicles and motorcycles are free to enter the zones.
  • Any non-plug-in or mild-hybrid vehicles must be considered under the relevant petrol or diesel categories.

You can use this vehicle checker on the Low Emissions Zone Scotland website to see whether your vehicle would be allowed to enter a zone.

If you own a non-compliant vehicle, you may be eligible for funding to support your transition towards sustainable travel options.

To learn more about the zones, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

LEZ Support Fund for households

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to eligible households to dispose of a non-compliant vehicle. This consists of:

  • An initial grant of £2,000 for disposing of your older vehicle with an authorised treatment facility. You must apply for the grant and wait for an official grant offer before disposing of your vehicle.
  • An additional £1,000 to invest in active and shared travel options through the Travel Better Fund. Up to two £500 Travel Better vouchers are available per adult per household, which can be reimbursed against the purchase of bikes, bike maintenance and multi-journey public transport and many more options. You must wait for an official grant offer before purchasing any travel measures.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the funding, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must live within 20km of a LEZ – if you are unsure, one of our advisors will be able to confirm when you call.
  • You must have owned a non-compliant vehicle for more than 12 months. You can use Low Emission Zone Scotland's vehicle checker to see whether your vehicle would be allowed to enter a zone.
  • The vehicle must hold a current MOT and be fully taxed and not hold SORN status.
  • You must be in receipt of means-tested benefits.

How to apply

To apply to the Low Emission Zone Support Fund for households, please review the eligibility criteria and contact us directly either by phone on 0808 808 2282 or online, and one of our advisors will be happy to help.

Applications are assessed on a first come, first served basis subject to funds remaining.

To learn more about the fund, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

Things to note

  • Evidence of identity of the vehicle owner and receipt of benefits are required of benefits are required to apply.
  • Vehicles cannot be disposed of prior to receiving a valid grant offer letter from Energy Saving Trust.
  • Funds will be released once a valid Certificate of Destruction is received and other grant conditions are met.
  • The Travel Better Fund is made available once your vehicle has been disposed of and will require a further grant offer letter to be issued before items can be purchased.
  • Funding is issued on a first come, first served basis and is subject to availability.
  • One vehicle per household can be disposed of via this fund.
  • The scheme is funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Energy Saving Trust.
  • Energy Saving Trust is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Useful links

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