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Clean Air Zone charges cost UK van drivers almost £800 a year, PEUGEOT research reveals
New research from PEUGEOT has highlighted the growing financial pressure faced by UK van drivers operating in areas covered by Low Emission and Clean Air Zones, with drivers spending an average of £780 a year – equivalent to £65 a month – on entry fees and penalty charges.
For commercial drivers who regularly travel into urban areas, these charges can represent a significant addition to the cost of running a van. The research found that London-based van drivers face the highest average costs, spending £99 a month, or almost £1,200 a year, on Clean Air and Low Emission Zone-related fees and penalties.
Van drivers operating in the Tyneside Clean Air Zone, covering Newcastle and Gateshead, face the second-highest average cost at £82 per month (£984 per year). Both London and Tyneside have a higher daily entry charge of £12.50 for non-compliant vehicles, compared with daily charges of between £8 and £10 in the other Clean Air Zones currently operating in England.
By comparison, van drivers in Wales face considerably lower costs, with the country currently having no Low Emission or Clean Air Zones. Welsh van drivers reported spending an average of £37 per month on these types of charges. In Scotland, where Low Emission Zones operate in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, the average cost was £39 per month. Rather than operating a daily charging system, Scotland restricts non-compliant vehicles from entering the zones, with fines issued to drivers who breach the rules.
There are currently 14 Low Emission Zones, Clean Air Zones or Zero Emission Zones across the UK, including London's ULEZ and LEZ. Nine of these zones charge non-compliant petrol and diesel vehicles an entry fee, while drivers who fail to pay can also face Penalty Charge Notices.
Clean Air Zone costs add to the cost of running a van
PEUGEOT's research demonstrates just how significant these charges have become for commercial vehicle users. At an average of £780 per year, Clean Air and Low Emission Zone costs are higher than the £632 a year van drivers spend on parking and associated fines.
They also exceed the average annual cost of servicing, repairs and MOTs, which comes to £715, while insurance costs average £626 per year.
Fuel remains the largest single running cost for the van drivers surveyed, with an average monthly spend of £176, equivalent to £2,112 a year. Food and drink while at work also represents a significant outgoing, costing drivers an average of £88 per month, or £1,056 annually.
For businesses and self-employed drivers operating on tight margins, these additional costs can therefore have a meaningful impact on the overall cost of vehicle ownership and day-to-day operations.
Steve Wass, Managing Director, PEUGEOT UK, said: “With rising fuel and living costs, our research highlights how much commercial van drivers face in terms of annual expenditure. For those regularly driving into Clean Air Zones, the cost of running a non-compliant van can add up, proving there has never been a better time to switch to cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
“PEUGEOT is committed to helping businesses make that transition by offering fully electric van models like the E-PARTNER, E-EXPERT and E-BOXER, available on monthly finance deals that match their diesel equivalents.”
Clean Air Zones generate significant revenue
The research also examined the wider financial impact of Clean Air Zones, with PEUGEOT submitting Freedom of Information requests to the 13 councils operating Clean Air Zones across the UK.
The responses revealed that 12 of the zones had generated a combined revenue of almost £1.5 billion since their respective launches up to 31 March 2026, demonstrating the scale of the charges being collected from motorists.
The figures also come as London marks the third anniversary of the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. On 29 August, it will be three years since the ULEZ boundary was expanded in 2023 from inner London to cover all 32 London boroughs. Since the introduction of London's ULEZ and LEZ, the two schemes have generated combined revenue of more than £1.2 billion.
Many drivers remain uncertain about emissions requirements
Despite the increasing impact of emissions zones on commercial drivers, PEUGEOT's research suggests that there is still some uncertainty around vehicle compliance.
Around 66% of van drivers surveyed said their vehicle meets the emissions standards required to enter Low Emission and Clean Air Zones, rising to 80% among London-based drivers. However, 15% said their van does not meet the required standards, while a further 19% were unsure whether their vehicle was compliant.
The findings suggest that a significant number of commercial drivers may not be fully aware of the emissions standards that apply to their vehicles and the journeys they regularly undertake. For businesses operating across multiple towns and cities, understanding these requirements is becoming increasingly important when considering both vehicle choice and operating costs.
PEUGEOT offers electric and diesel options for van operators
PEUGEOT is positioning electrification as one solution for businesses looking to reduce their exposure to future emissions restrictions. The brand offers a fully electric version of every van in its current range, giving businesses a choice of zero-emission commercial vehicles across different sizes and applications.
The range includes the compact E-PARTNER, which is manufactured in the UK at Ellesmere Port, the mid-sized E-EXPERT and the larger E-BOXER. Together, the three models provide businesses with electric options across the key commercial van segments, whether they are operating in urban environments or covering longer distances.
For businesses that are not yet ready to transition to electric, PEUGEOT also continues to offer a range of diesel-powered vans. All of its diesel van models meet the latest Euro 6E BIS emissions standards, providing an alternative for operators who still require the range, refuelling convenience or payload capabilities associated with diesel power.
With Clean Air Zones continuing to shape how commercial vehicles operate in towns and cities across the UK, the research highlights the importance of considering emissions compliance alongside traditional running costs. For fleet operators and independent van drivers alike, choosing a vehicle that can meet current and future emissions requirements could help reduce unexpected charges while providing greater certainty over long-term operating costs.