Clean air ignorance: Majority of drivers clueless about car emission standards and UK zone rules

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【Summary】A study conducted by YouGov reveals that four in five drivers in the UK are unaware of the emission standard of their car and the rules for different clean air zones. The emergence of inner-city clean air zones, such as London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), has left motorists struggling to understand the varying requirements. Only 56% of respondents knew the rules for the ULEZ, while less than 20% understood the rules for Oxford's Zero Emission Zone.

FutureCar Staff Sep 12, 2023 6:28 AM PT

Clean air ignorance: Majority of drivers clueless about car emission standards and UK zone rules

Motorists in the UK are struggling to understand the different rules of inner-city clean air zones, according to a new study. The poll, conducted by YouGov, found that more than one in five drivers do not know the Euro emission standard of their own car, which is essential for determining compliancy with the rules of the 13 clean air zones across the country. Additionally, fewer than one in five drivers understood the rules for Oxford's Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ).

The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of car management app Caura, right before the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on August 29. Despite the expansion, only 56% of respondents said they knew the requirements for a vehicle to enter the ULEZ for free. Failure to meet the required standards can result in daily charges of £12.50 to drive in the zone.

Euro emission standards commonly dictate whether motorists need to pay to enter clean air zones. For example, petrol cars must meet at least Euro 4 standards for the ULEZ and Birmingham's Clean Air Zone (CAZ), while diesel vehicles must adhere to the latest Euro 6 emissions. However, 81% of the drivers polled had no idea which Euro standard their car meets.

Knowing the Euro emissions rating of a car is crucial as the number of low-emission zones being introduced is increasing. Most zones require petrol cars to be at least Euro 4 compliant and diesel cars to be Euro 6 compliant. It is recommended to use the ULEZ checker online or check the car's V5/V5C logbook to determine its Euro standard.

Outside of London, only 19% of drivers polled knew the requirements to enter Oxford's ZEZ by car. Charges are imposed on all vehicles except non-electric ones, with costs varying depending on the car's environmental friendliness. Additionally, just 29% of respondents knew the emissions requirements for driving in a CAZ, of which there are currently seven in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Gateshead, and Sheffield.

Scotland's Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has recently been introduced in Glasgow and will be implemented in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh in 2024. The LEZ uses the same emission standard requirement as the ULEZ, but owners of non-compliant vehicles are fined for entering instead of facing daily charges.

The varying rules and stipulations of the different clean air zones are a significant concern for motorists, especially with more councils looking to adopt similar models in the future. Caura, the car management app, believes that authorities need to provide clearer information and standardize the requirements of the zones. Many drivers lack the knowledge and tools to navigate the complex rules and regulations.

Dr. Sai Lakshmi, CEO and founder of Caura, described the survey findings as "shocking" and emphasized the need for a streamlined platform to help drivers navigate the increasing environmental pressures and regulations.