Applications for financial support to upgrade non-compliant vehicles for the clean air zone (CAZ) in Newcastle and Gateshead are set to open next week.
The applications will open from November 21, with all non-compliant vehicle owners being able to use these channels to get more information on vehicle upgrade grants and exemptions.
Charges to enter the CAZ will come into effect on 30 January 2023 for taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs that don’t meet the outlined emissions requirements. Vans falling into this same category won’t be charged until July 2023.
Private cars, motorbikes and low-emission vehicles will not be face charges for entering the CAZ.
The available grant funding will be available to help replace or upgrade vehicles, with authorities encouraging affected motorists to apply as soon as possible.
For taxi and private hire vehicles, grants of up to £3,500 – or £4,000 for wheelchair-accessible vehicles – will be made available. Up to £4,500 will be offered to van owners looking to replace their vehicles; £16,000 will be available in grant money for bus, coach and HGV upgrades.
Newcastle City Council will assess vehicle eligibility before passing applications onto what it calls specialist funding providers. These funding providers will also reportedly offer low-interest, subsidised financing to support the cost of buying replacement vehicles.
