The Scottish Government has put £5m into the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Support Fund for 2024-25, as the devolved nation prepares for an enforcement roll-out at the end of May.
For a fifth year, the fund will offer cash incentives and Travel Better credits to households and smaller businesses, with a grant of £2,000 on offer to encourage the disposal of a non-LEZ standard vehicle.
It also offers up to a further £1000 in mobility grants or Travel Better credits to purchase a bike, e-bike or public transport vouchers.
Delivered through Energy Saving Trust, this programme is means-tested and offers help to those most affected by the introduction of LEZs.
Out of the overall package, £2m will be put towards retrofitting light goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and taxis through the LEZ Retrofitting Fund for microbusinesses.
Aberdeen and Edinburgh are set to impose fines for non-compliant vehicles in the LEZs from the start of June this year, Dundee is starting enforcement on 30 May, while penalty charges began last year in Glasgow.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: 'LEZs are a vital public health measure and by providing financial assistance to people and businesses that need it most, we’re ensuring that the transition to wider LEZ enforcement happens in a fair way.
'Since 2019, the Scottish Government has provided over £13m through the Low Emission Zone Support Fund. Over 4000 non-compliant vehicles have been disposed of or retrofitted with cleaner technology. This number includes support for taxi drivers, with over 450 taxis being retrofitted with the help of grant funding since 2019.
'At the same time we are encouraging a shift towards sustainable transport options. I’m pleased that the fund has enabled the purchase of over 2000 bikes, e-bikes or cargo bikes for homes and businesses.
'Wider enforcement of Low Emission Zones are already underway in Glasgow, with Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh enforcement commencing in the coming weeks.'
To find out more about how LEZs might affect you visit lowemissionzones.scot for the latest information.
For more information on the funding available visit lowemissionzones.scot or visit the website of the Energy Saving Trust, which administers funding on behalf of the Scottish Government.
