Will Greater Manchester residents be forced to move into electric cars under their Clean Air Plans

With the clean air plan for Grater Manchester will residents be forced to move into electric cars?

The move to electric cars will be a carrot and stick manoeuvre for many UK drivers. In some cases there will be great tax advantages, grants, subsidies and benefits to adopting battery tech in your vehicles.

For other drivers, the stick may be in the form of legal policy (like the ZEV Mandate), punitive car tax on combustion vehicles or emissions based charging zones. The latter is a confusing topic, as many often mistake the different approaches being taken by the various councils and local authorities across the UK. For example, the London ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) is bespoke to that area and will not impact what policies will necessarily happen in areas like Manchester and Liverpool.

The method behind the policies is often somewhat different, with some more focused on removing the most heavily polluting vehicles off the road whereas others are more about removing vehicles in their totality and creating more pedestrian zones.

The Clean Air Zones (CAZ) are not a new facet and these have been discussed for a number of years, with some areas having already implemented them. The CAZ is essentially an area where targeted action is being taken to address and improve air quality. In highly urban zones especially our busiest cities, the volume of traffic is now impacting the air quality for those who live and work there.

Air quality is now key on the Government’s agenda and each local authority has been given a responsibility to implement a plan to make the necessary improvements. Underlying each CAZ is a categorised zone, which essentially sets out a structure as per the below:

•  A - in a Class A the regulations will apply to buses, coaches, taxis and private hire;
• B - in a Class B all of the above are included plus HGVs;
•  C - in a Class C all of the above are included plus LCVs / vans / minibuses; and
•  D  - in a Class C all of the above are included plus cars (and motorcycles).

As at September 2024 many local authorities have implemented a firm CAZ, As you will see there are various approaches being undertaken such as the Class B from Portsmouth, Class C from Sheffield and Bradford plus the Class D in place at Birmingham and Bristol. 

So you need to have an electric car / van to avoid a clean air charge? The idea is not actually about moving customers from combustion and into EVs, although that would be a beneficial step to take. As per the Gov website this is about vehicles adhering to the minimum emissions standards which you will find in your log book.

For example, a Bus or HGV must be at least a Euro VI and vans or cars must be Euro 6 (for diesel) and Euro 4 (for petrol). Because the zones will operate for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, if you have any doubts or concerns you do need to use the online checker on the Gov website. Failure to do so may lead to a penalty charge notice (PCN).

In Manchester, the approach to an Air Plan has been a little confusing. While you can look at the resources directly at  there has been some back and forth on what we can expect moving forwards.

For many local Manchester residents they will have seen CAZ signage being installed in 2023, only to be postponed subject to further review. However, it seems as if action will resume if the Government access the Clean Air Plan which is being prepared. Consistent with the previous approach, this will be an investment-led plan, which will not use a charging mechanism for local residents or business.

The modelling of the plan suggests that the legal requirement to meet air quality will be reached by 2026, as opposed to the 2025 originally stated back in 2023. Much of what Manchester are doing, under their Bee Network, is focused on electrifying the buses which operate in the region, with evidence already suggesting that the use of all-electric buses is helping the area.

The expectation is that just over a third of the buses will be electric by 2027 and that by 2030, only electric buses will operate on the region. With the government having allocated just over £86m to Manchester, it expects that just over £50m will improve the buses and depots with just over £30m to help hackney carriages and taxis improve. The remainder will go into helping traffic flow.

While the short to medium term is not about forcing Manchester car customers to go electric, it is always important to point out that the zero-tailpipe status of these options do provide for better air quality. While some conjecture would suggest that fossil fuels contribute to their re-fuelling (which they do), it is also key to note the growing trend of sustainable energy being used across the UK, with many local regions - Wigan, Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Manchester City - utilising various grants and schemes to allow for renewable energies like solar.

And let’s be honest, the new Cupra Tavascan, which you can build on the Cupra manufacturer website  is a stunning example of what is being offered to personal and business leasing customers looking to electric in 2024 and beyond.

As per the website, UK customers can choose between:

•  V1 / VZ1 - from £43,340 or £55,935 this will offer 19” alloys, heated and foldable electric mirrors, LED headlights, dark tinted rear windows, navigation, 5.3” digital cockpit with a 15” central display, wireless phone charger, aluminium pedals, rain and light sensor, heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, rear view camera, keyless entry and start, forward collision warning and attention assist; and

•  V2 / VZ2 - from £53,835 or £60,835 this will offer 21”  alloys, Matrix LED lights, electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, Sennheiser premium audio, 3-zone climate control, bucket seats which are 12-way electrically adjustable, top view camera and dynamic chassis control.   

Choose between colours like Atacama Desert, Basalt Grey, White Silver and Tavascna blue. Add options like the Winter Pack for the additional heat pump, rear heated seats and heated front screen.  

But how will the new Tavascan electric perform?

There will be two battery configurations to choose from including:

•  Endurance (286ps) - this RWD SUV will have a 77 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 6.8 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 210kW (or 282hp). Expect a combined winter range of 230 miles with warmer weather allowing for 320 miles – a 275 mile combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 135 kW DC maximum allowing 28 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 540L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 145 mpg. You can tow with this EV – 750kg (Unbraked) and 1000kg (Braked). It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities (so far). The Heat Pump is available but is an option; and

•  VZ (340ps) - this AWD SUV will have a 77 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.5 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 250kW (or 335hp). Expect a combined winter range of 220 miles with warmer weather allowing for 300 miles – a 265 mile combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 135 kW DC maximum allowing 28 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 540L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 139 mpg. You can tow with this EV – 750kg (Unbraked) and 1200kg (Braked). It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities (so far). The Heat Pump is available but is an option.

Need more help and advice on your new Tavascan? Just get in touch with our team on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected] Alternatively, just build your preferred option at the Cupra manufacturer website and send this to our amazing team.

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