Birmingham City Council has expanded the scope of its Clean Air Zone vehicle scrappage scheme to include residents living within Zone, whilst updating the grants available.

This announcement follows the end of the temporary exemptions from the daily fee that were available to workers and residents in the Zone. The Clean Air Zone vehicle scrappage scheme was launched in 2021 and initially encouraged eligible individuals who work within the Zone and own a ‘non-complaint’ vehicle to scrap it in return for a grant that could be used to purchase a compliant vehicle or travel credit.

The updated scheme is being expanded to include eligible residents who live within the Zone’s boundary and are in receipt of certain benefits. At the same time, the Council is updating the grants available, which now include options to receive both a scrappage grant and travel credit. 

Successful applicants to the scheme will be able to choose one of three grants:

  • A £1,000 scrappage grant together with two TfWM public transport credits of £1,500 paid into a SWIFT account (total grant = £4,000)
  • A £1,600 scrappage grant together with £1,500 of TfWM public transport credit paid into a SWIFT account (total grant = £3,100)
  • A scrappage-only grant of £2,000

It is being supported with up to £4m of funding provided to the Council by the Government when the plans for the Clean Air Zone were approved in 2019. Councillor Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council said: “The Clean Air Zone is playing a key role in our efforts to improve air quality in the city, and we have seen a significant reduction in the numbers of non-compliant vehicles entering the Zone on a day-to-day basis.

“We have always been conscious of the potential impact of the Clean Air Zone on a number of groups, so ensured that there was an extensive package of support in place from the introduction of the scheme. The expansion of the existing vehicle scrappage scheme re-affirms this commitment.

“The offer of a vehicle scrappage grant and travel credit supports our broader goals to reduce carbon emissions and encourage everyone to adopt more sustainable modes of transport.”