On the 30th of May 2022, a charging Clean Air Zone will be introduced to Greater Manchester. This is to move towards cleaner air within and around the city and local roads. The UK government have set out aims to tackle the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air. Thus, contributing to a reduction in air pollution. Consequently, the most polluting vehicles both industrial and passenger such as buses and taxis will have to pay a daily charge to travel in the Zone.
What Is Pollution?
Pollution is all around us and can cause serious damage to our health. It is in general the introduction of harmful material into the environment. ‘Pollutants’ can be both natural like volcanic ash and/or caused by human activity such as rubbish. These then damage the quality of air, water, and land.
Air Pollution
This type of pollution is often invisible. Some air pollution can be natural for instance when a volcano erupts. However, sadly more often than not it is caused by the burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas. Within vehicles, gasoline is burned, this in turn produces carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Both are harmful colourless, odourless ‘greenhouse gases’ linked to climate change. Air pollution can affect everyone’s health, from birth to death. Greater Manchester’s Director of Public Health for Air Quality, Eleanor Roaf comments “We estimate in Greater Manchester that air pollution is the biggest environmental cause of poor health. Up to 1,200 deaths each year are contributed to by poor air quality.”
Air pollution has been linked to some cancers, stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and furring of the arteries. It can make cough and phlegm symptoms worse and increase the risk of getting bacterial pneumonia. The Climate Change Act, as revised in 2019, committed the UK to cut greenhouse gases to ‘net zero’ by 2050.
The Clean Air Zone
Created to protect the health and wellbeing of individuals as well as reducing air pollution. Drivers will be charged a fee to enter the area if their vehicle fails to meet the required environmental standards. The idea behind it is to encourage individuals to make the switch to cleaner vehicles. Therefore, helping to reduce the harmful nitrogen dioxide air pollution at the roadside. The charges are currently listed as:
- Heavy goods vehicles: £60 from 30 May 2022
- Buses: £60 from 30 May 2022
- Coaches: £60 from 30 May 2022 (exemptions available)
- Vans (light goods vehicles): £10 from 1 June 2023
- Minibuses: £10 from 1 June 2023
- Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles: £7.50 from 30 May 2022 (exemptions available)
- Motorcaravans: Depends on the tax class of the vehicle
You can find out if your vehicle is affected here.
Financial Support Scheme
For all eligible Greater Manchester businesses, organisation and individuals, the government have contributed £120m worth of funding. This is to encourage and assist individuals to upgrade their fleet with cleaner vehicles which would then not be subject to the daily charges. The Clean Air Financial Support Scheme is currently open to applications from eligible heavy goods vehicle (HGV) owners. For all other vehicle owners due to open in late January 2022. You will be required to provide information regarding yourself, your vehicle and your business or organisation.
Recognised Truck Dealer
Mac’s Trucks has been recognised as an accredited vehicle dealer under the new scheme. Providing Euro 6 compliant vehicles meeting emission standards. Meaning, all Mac’s Trucks customers who buy a Euro 6 vehicle are exempt from the daily charge.
With more than 40 years of experience and expertise. We offer our customers complete control of creating their ideal vehicle. Taking the hassle of design and manufacturing while assisting in any aftersales care thereafter.
We are a one stop shop for customers, encompassing niche products such as tippers, crane and plant, curtainsiders, box vans, beavertails, cheesewedge, skips, and hooks. No matter what size or requirements you have we do everything with you in mind. When it comes to buying trucks, Mac’s Trucks is a name you can trust. Contact us today.
