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Glasgow's Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
Overview
We need to reduce levels of harmful vehicle emissions in our city centre. These can cause health problems, particularly for those most vulnerable.
That's why from 1 June 2023, our Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will come into force.
All vehicles entering the city centre zone area will need to meet the less-polluting emission standards or face a penalty charge.
There are some exemptions and zone residents have extra time to comply.
Fully electric vehicles comply with LEZ requirements in Scotland.
Motorcycles and mopeds are unaffected.
Full details about Glasgow's LEZ can be found on our LEZ Key Information page.
You can also see if your vehicle is likely to meet LEZ emission standards by using Transport Scotland's vehicle checker.
Why Glasgow Needs a Low Emission Zone
Although we've made good progress in recent years to improve Glasgow's air quality, harmful nitrogen dioxide is being recorded in our city centre at levels that do not meet the legal requirements.
As the main source of this harmful pollutant is from road traffic, Glasgow's Low Emission Zone is an essential measure to improve air quality and help protect public health, especially for those most vulnerable.
Glasgow's LEZ can also help accelerate the uptake of less polluting vehicles, encourage people to move away from private car use and increase the safety, attractiveness, and amenity of our city centre.
LEZ Development/Consultation
Phase 1 of Glasgow's LEZ (which affects buses only) was introduced on 31 December 2018.
Phase 2 will expand the scope of Glasgow's LEZ so that it affects all vehicles driving into the city centre zone, including private cars. This final phase will be enforced by way of a penalty charge from 1 June 2023.
Many elements of LEZs in Scotland are set at national level for consistency. This would include the emission standards and penalties.
The council has however determined the specific design and operation of Glasgow's LEZ after careful consideration of what is required locally.
This is set out in Glasgow's LEZ Phase 2 Final Scheme Design.
Main development/consultation stages of LEZ Phase 2:
- March 2020: To help shape the LEZ Phase 2 design, we ran our first public consultation in 2020. The findings were independently reviewed and summarised.
- Summer/Autumn 2021: LEZ Phase 2 design proposals were consulted upon with almost 3,000 responses received.
- November 2021: Consultation responses were noted by our Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Committee on 23 November 2021 and fed into the final Phase 2 scheme design.
- December 2021: Details of Glasgow's final LEZ scheme design was published.
- March 2022: A report summarising objections to Glasgow's LEZ was published and noted by our Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Committee on 7 March 2022.
- March 2022: The final LEZ scheme design was approved by City Administration Committee on 10 March 2022.
- May 2022: Glasgow's LEZ was approved by Scottish Ministers on 19 May 2022 and was formally introduced on 31 May 2022. General LEZ enforcement will start on 1 June 2023.
- September 2022: An update of the LEZ workplan ahead of enforcement, and our intended approach to exemptions/time-limited exemptions was provided to our Net Zero Committee on 20 September 2022.
- October 2022: The City Administration Committee approved a proposal to grant a time-limited exemption of one year for taxi operators in Glasgow who do not have access to funded retrofit solutions.
An extensive campaign of LEZ awareness has been underway since 2018, including the installation of indicative signage at key entry points around the zone boundary.
Throughout development of LEZ Phase 2, the council has widely consulted and engaged with the public and key stakeholder groups. This includes hosting events and writing out directly to those most affected, such as zone residents.
In addition, the council has supported and cross promoted Transport Scotland's wider, national LEZ communications campaign which has included highlighting the Scottish Government's support funding and other assistance available to individuals and businesses to ease compliance.
To increase awareness and understanding of Glasgow's LEZ, our 'Plan Ahead for the LEZ' publicity campaign commenced in December 2022. This campaign alongside engagement with key stakeholders, will continue up to and beyond enforcement.
LEZ Legislation/Regulations
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides the legislation to enable the creation and civil enforcement of LEZs.
The Scottish Government has also developed regulations and guidance, relating to a number of key LEZ aspects including emissions, penalties, certain exemptions and parameters for grace periods. The council however has the powers to create, enforce, operate or revoke a Low Emission Zone and to design its shape, size and vehicle scope, based on local requirements.
There are two sets of national regulations for LEZs:
- The Low Emission Zones (Emission Standards, Exemptions and Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - these regulations cover emission standards, exemptions, penalty charge rates, and enforcement.
- The Low Emission Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2021 - these regulations cover consultation, publication and representations, examinations, approved devices, and accounts.
These Regulations were finalised following a consultation which asked questions about key aspects of LEZ regulations and guidance, particularly views on emission standards, exemptions and penalty charges.
The Traffic Signs Amendment (Scotland) Regulations and General Directions 2022 refers to the road signs and markings that indicate a Low Emission Zone.
LEZ Reports/Evidence Base
This area contains the evidence used in developing and designing Glasgow's LEZ.
Last updated: 1 December 2022.
Glasgow’s LEZ – Final Scheme Design as Approved [3Mb]
Glasgow's LEZ - Preferred Scheme Design (Phase 2) [626kb]
Glasgow Air Quality Evidence Report – initial report on the LEZ proposals by SEPA [5Mb]
Low Emission Zone – Glasgow Evidence Report by SEPA (final) [4Mb]
Consideration of Carbon Dioxide emissions within an LEZ scheme: Glasgow – Report by SEPA [570kb]
LEZ Data Analysis Tool
Using traffic modelling information provided by SYSTRA, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has developed an interactive tool to show the predicted changes in both emissions and traffic levels expected under the proposed Phase 2 LEZ measures. The tool allows users to explore these changes on a street by street basis and is available via the link below:
