Petrol and diesel drivers have been refusing to back the Low Emission Zones in place across a Scottish city by deliberately not paying fines.
Drivers across Aberdeen have failed to pay more than £500,000 in Low Emission Zone penalties during the first nine months of the city's clean air scheme.
The Low Emission Zone, which prohibits older petrol and diesel vehicles from designated city centre areas, generated £1.23million in Penalty Charge Notices after operational costs between June 2024 and March 2025.
However, approximately £561,000 of these fines remain outstanding, according to a new council committee report.
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The LEZ prevents certain vehicles from entering emission zones
| ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILUnlike the Ulez in London, the scheme does not operate through daily charges; instead, drivers of non-compliant vehicles are issued a £60 penalty for travelling through the LEZ, although this can be reduced to £30 if paid early.
To meet the LEZ rules, petrol vehicles must be Euro 4, which are generally registered from 2006 onwards, while diesel cars must be Euro 6, which tends to be from September 2015 onwards.
The LEZ officially began its operation on June 1, 2024, following a two-year grace period from May 2022, with the first nine months having the least compliance from drivers. It operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is enforced through ANPR cameras.
Vehicle adherence to the emission standards has increased significantly, rising from 82 per cent in 2023 to 89 per cent by 2025.
The LEZ became active on June 1, 2024 | PAThis seven percentage point improvement indicated growing awareness and adaptation among motorists to the environmental restrictions.
The declining penalty numbers also suggested that more drivers have been opting to buy an electric vehicle or that they chose alternative routes to avoid the restricted areas.
Council officials explained that they anticipate this pattern will persist, potentially reducing future enforcement revenue while operational expenses for cameras and signage remain fixed or potentially increase.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said: "The council must accrue any expected but unpaid income at the end of each financial year, in compliance with accounting practice. This includes income related to PCNs."
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The spokesperson added that the quoted unpaid amount "represents the difference between this accrued position, and the cash position for financial year 2024/25".
Transport Scotland regulations dictate that any surplus from enforcement activities to support the zone's environmental objectives. The funding must either cover operational expenses or deliver projects that enhance air quality and reduce transport emissions.
According to official documents, Aberdeen City Council has committed £321,000 from the available surplus of the LEZ penalties towards environmental improvements.
Councillors also approved £200,000 in March 2025 for establishing a bicycle rental programme, with procurement currently underway for a new operator.
The Aberdeen LEZ boundary map is the area where drivers can be issued fines
| ABERDEEN CITY COUNCILWhile the LEZ aims to improve air quality in the area, Ross Thomson, former MP for Aberdeen South, warned that Aberdeen’s SNP council is on a "kamikaze mission to kill what’s left of our city centre". "From bus gates to the LEZ - now the UK’s highest tourist tax," he shared on X.
Meanwhile, Reform Councillor in Aberdeen Duncan Massey shared: "The LEZ and bus gates are still reducing visitors to the city centre.
"The ongoing confusion about the measure continues to drive away visitors, even from successful businesses outside the impacted area."
The LEZ scheme aimed to enhance urban green spaces, promote sustainable transport alternatives, and improve air quality within the designated Air Quality Management Area, where population exposure remains high.