Here’s a run-down of the important dates throughout the year you need to know about, from new Clean Air Zones to potential fuel price rises...
January: Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone
A Clean Air Zone which encompasses Newcastle city centre, and routes over the Tyne, comes into force on January 30 for non-compliant taxis, buses, coaches and HGVs.
Charges for vans and light goods vehicles have been delayed until July 2023, Newcastle City Council said ‘to allow additional time for owners to upgrade due to national vehicle supply issues’.
Non-compliant lorries, buses and coaches will be hit with £50-a-day charges, while non-compliant vans and taxis will be charged £12.50 per day.
February: Sheffield Clean Air Zone
Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone, covering the inner ring road and city centre, goes live on February 27. Private (and, by extension, company) cars will not be charged but non-compliant taxis, vans, LGVs, coaches, buses, lorries and HGVs will.
Charges range from £10 to £50 per day depending on the vehicle.
March: Spring Budget
While the Autumn Statement provided some longer term planning for businesses, with the announcement of Benefit-in-Kind rates for company cars up until 2028, and Vehicle Excise Duty for the same period, there are still some areas that businesses will want to get more clarity on.
One, in particular, is Fuel Duty. In an accompanying document, the Office for Budget Responsibility postulated that there would be a planned 23 per cent increase in the Fuel Duty rate in late-March 2023.
However, it is legally bound to state this as part of the ‘fuel duty escalator’ that matches duty to inflation, and there is no guarantee the Government would choose to enact it, having postponed every rise since 2011. Set your clock for March 15th to find out whether they choose to this time…
March, June, September & December: new Advisory Fuel Rates/Advisory Electricity Rate announcements
Four times a year, HM Revenue & Customs announce the Advisory Fuel Rates and Advisory Electricity Rate that can be applied to employees using a petrol, diesel or electric company car.
These rates can be used to reimburse employees for business travel in their company cars, or to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel.
HMRC analyses fuel costs and vehicle efficiency and announce the new rates on these four dates:
1st March
1st June
1st September
1st December
You can find new rates here.
August: London ULEZ expansion
On August 29th, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will expand across all London boroughs. To see the map of where the redrawn boundaries are, click here.
It will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year except Christmas Day, and stretches at certain points as far out as the M25.
For those who drive a vehicle that doesn't meet the emissions standards inside the expanded ULEZ, they face a daily charge of £12.50, and this includes residents of the ULEZ.
August: HGV levy
Since 2014 all HGVS have had to pay a levy, based on their age and weight, which ranges from £76.50 to £1,200 annually. During the pandemic these were suspended, but they are to be reinstated on 31st July, 2023.
December: Pavement parking ban in Scotland
There is some confusion over exactly when a pavement parking ban will come into force in Scotland, but the Government in Holyrood intends to have it in place by December.
The new law allows councils to fine any driver who parks on a raised pavement, next to a dropped kerb used for access, or double parks, and is intended to improve the safety of pedestrians. It is likely to especially impact delivery and utility fleets who need to stop regularly in town and city centres.
For the latest updates on matters that might impact you during 2023, head to the News & Insights or EV Insights sections on our website.
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