The City of Edinburgh Council has released the first Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) figures since the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force on 1st June.
A LEZ was introduced in Edinburgh on 31 May 2022, along with LEZs in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, restricting the most polluting vehicles and improving urban air quality.
Diesel cars and vans must be a minimum of Euro 6 standard (generally those registered from 2015) and for petrol cars and vans a minimum of Euro 4 standard (generally registered from 2006).
Motorcycles and mopeds can enter the LEZ, and disabled vehicles, emergency vehicles, and historic vehicles are exempted from the emissions regulation.
In Edinburgh, a two-year grace period was in place until the end of May, meaning no penalty charges were issued during this time.
Latest Council figures show 6,030 fines were issued in June, 5,756 of which were level 1 penalties for a first contravention and 274 level 2 penalties for a second contravention of the LEZ.
There were no penalties issued for further levels.
LEZ penalties are £60 for the first contravention, doubling for each further contravention up to £480 for cars and light good vehicles, and £960 for bus and HGV.
The fine is reduced by half if paid in 14 days. Where there are no further contraventions detected, within the 90 days following a previous contravention, the penalty is reset to £60.
"People are seeing the many benefits of LEZs"
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur said:
“Whilst our objective is to ultimately see zero non-compliant vehicles enter our LEZ, I’m conscious that this is a process which will take time to fully materialise. I was encouraged to see the relatively low level of second contraventions in the figures alongside none for further levels. This shows clearly that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their transport habits accordingly.
“We’ve already seen that public attitudes towards LEZs are improving across Scotland, with a national poll earlier this year indicating that 60% of respondents were in favour of the zones, with just 21% opposed. This is clear evidence that people are seeing the many benefits of LEZs, and how they link in with our wider aims to make our city cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone.
“I’d also reiterate that any revenue that we generate from the LEZ will be reinvested into the running of the zone, with any surplus funds supporting the LEZ’s wider goals.
“These ambitious goals include achieving net zero, accommodating sustainable growth, cutting congestion, and improving air quality, amongst other commitments to create a safer and more people-friendly city. Edinburgh is a city with big ideas for the future and the LEZ forms a key part of these.”
All revenue generated from PCNs contribute towards running the LEZ.
Any surplus revenue may only be used to support LEZ objectives, which are primarily to reduce harmful emissions from transport and encourage sustainable travel.
The LEZ also forms part of the city’s wider ambitions under our 2030 Climate Strategy and other initiatives such as the City Mobility Plan and the 2050 Edinburgh City Vision.
It is anticipated that the LEZ will significantly reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen dioxide from vehicles, improving public health.
Charges for non-compliant vehicles entering LEZ
Light passenger vehicles (cars) M1, Light goods vehicle N1, Special purpose vehicle
- Initial penalty £60
- Second penalty £120
- Third penalty £240
- Fourth and subsequent penalties £480
Minibus M2, bus and coach M3, Heavy goods vehicles N2 N3
- Initial penalty £60
- Second penalty £120
- Third penalty £240
- Fourth penalty £480
- Fifth and subsequent penalties £960
Fines are reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days and increased by 50% if not paid within 28 days. Payment of fines can be made through the Council web site.
Edinburgh's Low Emissions Zone boundaries
The NW corner of the LEZ is at the intersection of Palmerston Place and Chester Street. It continues NE along Drumsheugh Gardens, crosses through Randolph Crescent to St Colme St and runs the length of Queen Street to the top of Leith walk.
At Blenheim Place, the boundary line turns south, skirts the western edge of Calton Hill, continues along Regent Rd, as far as the Abbey Mount intersection.
It continues south along Abbeyhill as far as Queen's Drive at the edge of Holyrood Park, darts back to Holyrood Road where it continues west as far as Pleasance where it turns south and runs along St Leonard's Street as far East Preston St, runs along West Preston St and turns back North to Melville Drive.
Skirting The Meadows, the boundary continues north-west along Brougham Street, Earl Grey Street, Morrison Street, and Torphichen Street back to Palmerston Place.
The boundary itself is not within the LEZ. Vehicles may drive around the boundary, including non-compliant vehicles. Enforcement only takes place within the zone itself.