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UPDATED 01/06/2021
In an attempt to reduce the levels of toxic NO2 in the air, Birmingham has introduced a Clean Air Zone in the city centre under the brand of #brumbreathes. This means vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards will be charged for every day they drive into the defined area. The zone is in effect now, having started on the 1st June 2021.
The Birmingham Clean Air Zone is being introduced in response to the city failing to deliver on targets for increasing the air quality. It is designed to prevent the highest polluting vehicles from entering the centre, therefore reducing the pollution in the local air.
The clean air zone launched on the 1st June 2021. From this date, any non-compliant vehicle entering the zone has had to pay the charge or risk a fine.
The Clean Air Zone covers the centre of Birmingham. The boundaries are clearly defined by the A4540 road circling the centre. It doesn't include the road itself. The map here, identifies the affected area.
The Birmingham Clean Air Zone will apply at all times. The CAZ and relevant charges has effect 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
For most non-compliant vehicles the charge is £8 per day. This includes non-compliant cars, taxis, LGVs and minibuses. For larger vehicles, over 3.5 tonnes, the charge is £50 per day.
The charge operates on a day rate meaning if cars repeatedly go in and out of the area on the same day, the charge will apply once.
If a car is already in the area on a particular day, but has not been driven and remained park, it will not be subject to the charge.
The charge will be payable via an online portal, similar to that of the Dartford Tunnel or London Congestion Charge.
There is a clear line in defining what cars will have to the pay the charge or not. Any Diesel Car not conforming to the Euro 6 Emission standards and any Petrol Cars not at least conforming to the Euro 4 standard will be subject to the charge.
Unfortunately for the average driver it’s not easy for them to identify whether their cars conform to the Euro 6 or Euro 4 standard. As a general rule, Diesel vehicles registered before the 1st September 2015 and Petrol vehicles registered before the 1st January 2006 will be subject to the charge.
This general rule can vary so you can check if your vehicle is affected by the CAZ using the government’s online checker.
When it comes to Hybrid vehicles, the same rules apply. The Diesel or Petrol part of the engine must meet the same standards.
There are a few exemptions to the introduction of the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, with the main one’s being for Residents and Commuters. A summary of these can be found below. If eligible, you will need to apply for these exemptions on the brumbreathes website.
Exemption | Details | Time Limit |
Residents within the zone | Residents are exempt from the charge for any vehicles registered at their address | 2 years from when the CAZ is introduced |
Commuters earning less than £30,000 per year | Selected commuters traveling to a registered place of work within the Zone are exempt. They are also offered a £2,000 travel card or contribution towards changing vehicle if they scrap their non-compliant vehicle | 1 year after the CAZ is introduced. |
Visitors to Hospitals | Those visiting Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Badger Medical or Attwood Green Health Centre Will be exempt | 1 year after the CAZ is introduced. |
Vehicles with disabled or disabled passenger tax class. | Note, this does not apply to Blue Badge Holders and only vehicles in tax class 85. These people do not need to apply for an exemption. | No Time Limit |
Taxis are not exempt from the zone, however they can apply for various forms of support towards changing to a lower emission vehicle.
At the time of writing if you do not pay the charge you will be subject to a fine of £120. This penalty would be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
If you live in or regularly travel to the centre of Birmingham, we recommend that you check whether your vehicle is compliant early so you can be prepare by either changing car or applying for a temporary exemption
If you’re already looking at changing your vehicle, it’d be best to make sure that your new car meets the required emissions standard.
If you’re not looking at changing your car and you regular travel into Birmingham, it may be worth considering if public transport is a viable alternative. If it isn’t, then changing your car now may make financial sense considering the savings you could make by not paying the CAZ charge.
All of our new cars meet the latest emissions standard so won’t be subject to the Clean Air Zone Charge. Similarly, all of our petrol used cars and most of our diesel cars will meet the required standard. Just ask us if you want to be sure.
Alternatively, you might want to consider an electric or hybrid car. Oxford is introducing a Zero Emissions Zone and it is likely that more and more places will impose tighter restriction on vehicles driving in their city. An electric or hybrid vehicle might be a safer long term option for these cases.
Find out more about our New and Used Electric and Hybrid range
Please note, this page is as accurate as possible at the
time of creation (June 2021). All plans and details may change at a later
date.For the latest information visit
https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk
Whatever your question or feedback we are here to help. So please feel free to contact us.
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Johnsons Cars Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (our registration number is 688450. Permitted activities include acting as a credit broker not a lender.
As an FCA regulated credit broker we can introduce you to a selected group of lenders / brokers (see below) who may be able to help you finance your purchase. This group of lenders / brokers provides us with a range of products which may be suitable for your purchase. We will explain the key features of those products to you.
Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Evolution Funding Limited, Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Honda Finance Europe PLC, CA Auto Finance UK Ltd, Suzuki Financial Services Limited, Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Hyundai Capital UK Limited, Stellantis Financial Services Uk Limited, Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC, FCE Bank Plc,
We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and their finance products, we act as their agent for this introduction. We are not an independent financial advisor; we will provide details of products available. We may advise you on the products, subject to your personal circumstances, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation.
We do not charge you a fee for our services. we will typically receive commission from whichever lender we introduce you to (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow).
Unless we consider it to be inappropriate given your personal circumstances, for certain vehicles e.g. New, our approach is to introduce you to the lender who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account interest rates, residual valuations (where applicable) and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, or the vehicle is not one that we would normally place with them we will introduce you to other lenders on our panel. The lender we introduce you to and available rates will depend upon a number of factors including: the vehicle, your personal circumstances and the likelihood of a lender to accept an application based on information provided.
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