Fleet operators impacted by the forthcoming Sheffield Clean Air Zone (CAZ) can now apply for financial aid on vehicle replacement costs.

Sheffield’s Class C CAZ will levy charges on the most polluting HGVs, LGVs/vans, buses, coaches and taxis

Due to go live on 27 February 2023, the Class C scheme will cover the inner ring road and city centre, levying charges on the most polluting heavy goods vehicles, light goods vehicles, vans, buses, coaches and taxis. Private cars won’t be charged.

Affected vehicles will need to pay a £10 per day fee for vans/LGVs and taxis while coaches, buses and lorries/HGVs will cost £50 a day.

The new financial assistance scheme can help businesses cut the cost of replacing non-compliant vehicles. A total of £28m government funding is available for either grants, interest-subsidised finance or a combination of the two.

The scheme is being run through Shire Leasing, which has already delivered more than £2m of financial support to SMEs through other government-funded CAZ schemes in the UK. These include Bath and North East Somerset, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Bristol City Council and, most recently, the joint Newcastle and Gateshead council scheme announced last week.

Julie Henehan, corporate development director at Shire Leasing, said: “The Sheffield City Council financial assistance scheme is the fifth addition to our Driving Clean Air programme. We’re delighted to be working with the Sheffield team to support the city in improving air quality, making it an even better place to live, work and visit. Over the past three years our team have developed expertise in delivering Clean Air Zone financial assistance and we look forward to bringing our knowledge and hassle-free processes to help eligible SMEs to upgrade their vehicles swiftly and more affordably.”

Businesses interested in using the scheme need to pass an initial eligibility assessment with Sheffield City Council and can then apply for financial support directly with Shire Leasing here.