Applications for grants to upgrade vehicles including coaches and buses that do not comply with the Tyneside Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will open on 21 November. That is ahead of the introduction of a £50 daily charge for non-Euro VI examples little more than two months later on 30 January 2023.
Up to £16,000 per vehicle is available through the grant scheme. It can go towards achieving compliance via replacement or retrofit. In what is thought to be a first for CAZs in England, two finance providers have been appointed to handle distribution of such funding, although applications will be made to Newcastle City Council.
In addition to distribution of grants, those external bodies will also be able to offer low interest, “subsidised” finance arrangements, using the funding, to help purchase a replacement vehicle.
Eligibility criteria for grants towards coaches and buses includes an element based on frequency of entry to the CAZ. In that case, evidence will be required that the vehicle in question has done so at least twice a week over the previous three months.
The breathe-cleanair.com official website – through where details of how to apply will be published – acknowledges that processing of applications may take “a few months” despite charging beginning in January 2023. However, confirmation of eligibility will be provided within 10 days of application.
That communication will also deliver a “one-time” 90-day exemption from CAZ charges while arrangements are made for compliance.
However, the above website adds that where retrofit or replacement is awaited and evidence of an order having been placed is provided, an exemption of up to one year will be granted from the date of that order.
Other local exemptions from the Tyneside CAZ will include those for coach and bus training vehicles – which are expected to be permanent – and on a short-term basis for vehicles used on unplanned emergency rail replacement services.
Grant payments will be made only to suppliers of replacement vehicles or retrofit equipment, and not to the applicant. Where a vehicle is replaced using the funding available, the replacement must remain registered to the applicant for at least two years.
