Transport Scotland has allocated £2m for the re-opening of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Support Fund in 2025-26 to help those ‘most in need’ adapt to LEZs.
Delivered through the Energy Saving Trust, the LEZ Support Fund offers help to people and businesses within 20km of Scotland’s LEZs. It is designed for lower-income households, sole traders and micro businesses and provides financial support towards sustainable travel, helping to remove the most polluting vehicles permanently from roads.
Now in its sixth year of operation, the LEZ Support Fund provides recipients with a grant of £2,000 to incentivise the disposal of high polluting vehicles, as well as a possible further £1,000 in Travel Better vouchers for bikes, e-bikes or public transport.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: ‘The cost crisis and global uncertainty continues to impact people and businesses. Even one year on from enforcement, it’s important that we help those who need it most to comply with this vital public health measure.
‘Since 2019, the Scottish Government has now provided over £15 million through the Low Emission Zone Support Fund.
'We’ve seen over 4000 of the most polluting vehicles permanently removed from our roads – and over 560 taxis retrofitted to become LEZ compliant since funding began. It’s also welcome news that the LEZ Support Fund continues to support active and sustainable travel – with over 2800 bikes, e-bikes or cargo bikes purchased thanks to our support.
‘LEZs work to protect public health by improving air quality. We’re seeing improved air quality as a result and we’re also seeing money raised through penalties being reinvested back into local authority schemes which further protect our climate and the quality of the air we breathe. Working with Energy Saving Trust, we’ll continue to ensure that financial help is there for people and businesses who need it most.’
Heather Quin, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust said: ‘At Energy Saving Trust, we’re dedicated to promoting low carbon transport solutions that help people travel more sustainably. This fund plays a vital role in enabling lower-income households and small businesses to access the support they need to make greener travel choices.
‘This funding has already helped many individuals, families and businesses across Scotland switch to less polluting vehicles, reduce their car use and embrace low carbon alternatives, including cycling and public transport. With this new round of funding, even more people will benefit from this support, as well as from improved air quality, while lowering carbon emissions and addressing the climate emergency.’
