Everything van drivers need to know about Manchester’s Clean air zones
Manchester, like many other cities in the UK, has made promises to create a clean air zone, where vehicles will have to pay a certain amount of money a day to drive through specific zones of the city. This is not just in response to the climate change crisis but is also a bid to improve the air quality for people who live in the city.
But if you drive a van and regularly drive to Manchester, this clean air zone will have an impact on you. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about the clean air zones, so you can be ready for the change.
How will the clean air zone work?
Manchester’s clean air zone has been designed to reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air, as Manchester is significantly above the legal limit. 10 areas of Manchester are expected to fall under this plan, and it is expected to be in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Vehicles that do not meet a specific criteria will be met with a daily charge which they need to pay. If they don’t, they will be subject to a penalty.
When does it come into effect?
The original clean air zone plan was supposed to be implemented in 2021, but as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it has now been moved to the 30th of May, 2022. The charge will affect vehicles that do not meet current nitrogen dioxide emission standards. However, cars, motorbikes and mopeds will all be exempt. However, for van and light good vehicles, the charges will not start until June of 2023.
How much does a van driver have to pay?
Vans and light good vehicles are on the list of taxable vehicles under the clean air zone plan. Vehicles that are not compliant with emission standards will be legally required to pay £10 per day to drive the vehicle in a clean air zone. After June 2023, you will need to pay the £10 daily rate if:
You own a car-derived van, box or panel van, flatbed truck, horse trailer or minibus (between 8 and 16 seats).
The van is made up of a Euro 5 or earlier diesel engine that is not compliant with the clean air regulations.
The van is made up of a Euro 3 or earlier petrol engine.
If you are unsure about whether your van meets these criteria, the Manchester government has a free checker that you can use (https://cleanairgm.com/clean-air-zone/light-goods-vehicles/).
If you are looking for more information about the new clean air zone, get in touch with the experts at James Hart Chorley LTD for more information (https://jameshartchorley.co.uk/contact/).
