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ULEZ & Clean Air Zone Cost Calculator
If your vehicle doesn't meet the emissions standard for a zone you drive into regularly, the daily charge adds up fast. Work out what it actually costs you over a week, month and year — and whether it's cheaper to sort your vehicle out instead.
Over a year that's £0 — worth checking whether your vehicle is compliant, which would bring this down to £0.
Cost breakdown
| Period | Cost |
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Who this is for
Anyone who drives a car, van, taxi or HGV into a UK Clean Air Zone or London's ULEZ regularly for work and wants to see the real running cost of doing it with a non-compliant vehicle — tradespeople, couriers, taxi and private hire drivers, and small fleet operators deciding whether to upgrade.
What's the difference between ULEZ and a Clean Air Zone?
ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is London's specific scheme. Clean Air Zones (CAZ) operate in several other UK cities — currently Birmingham, Bath, Bristol, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside (Newcastle & Gateshead) — and come in classes A to D, each covering more vehicle types than the last: Class A (buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles), Class B (adds HGVs), Class C (adds vans and minibuses), and Class D (adds cars, and can include motorcycles and a workplace parking levy at the council's discretion). Several cities charge non-compliant vans/HGVs but exempt cars entirely, so which class applies, what it charges, and which vehicles are exempt all vary by city — always check the specific scheme before you travel.
Do charges and zones ever change?
Yes, regularly. Boundaries get extended, daily charges get reviewed, and new cities introduce schemes. The £12.50 default here is London ULEZ's current rate for cars and vans, but always check the actual scheme for the city you're driving in before relying on this figure — this tool is a planning estimate, not a live rate.
How do I check if my vehicle is compliant?
Each scheme has an official vehicle checker where you enter your number plate to see if you'd be charged. Compliance is usually based on the Euro emissions standard your vehicle meets (typically Euro 6 for diesel, Euro 4 for petrol) — it's worth checking even if you think your vehicle is recent, as the cutoffs vary by scheme.
Is it cheaper to pay the charge or upgrade my vehicle?
That depends entirely on how often you drive into the zone and how long you'll keep the vehicle. This calculator gives you the annual cost of paying — compare that against the cost of upgrading, retrofitting, or switching routes to avoid the zone to see which makes more financial sense for your situation.
What else is this job's travel really costing you?
A daily zone charge is only one line of the bill. Our Fuel Cost Per Job Calculator and Is That Job Worth the Drive? calculator add in fuel, vehicle wear and your own time, so you can see the true cost of a job before you quote it.
Please note: this tool gives a guide or estimate only. It may not be 100% accurate and is not professional advice — always check the figures before you rely on them. Everything you type stays in your browser — nothing is uploaded, saved or sent anywhere. Charges, zones and vehicle exemptions vary by city and change over time — always check your vehicle's compliance and your local scheme's official site before relying on these figures.
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