Leeds hosts fleet air quality summit

Fleet organisations representing the users of millions of cars, vans and trucks have come together to discuss the proposed Leeds Clean Air Zone (CAZ) at a roundtable event.

The meeting was jointly hosted by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), Energy Saving Trust and Leeds City Council. Also present were the Association of Car Fleet Operators, Fleet News and a number of national and regional fleet operators.

The roundtable is the first of a number organised in cities across the UK that are planning Clean Air Zones as part of tackling poor local air quality.

Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA said: ‘We are very grateful to Leeds City Council for welcoming us to their offices for this hugely important discussion.

“Leeds Clean Air Zone will be a major development in the history and development of the local area. It will affect hundreds of thousands of people not just in Leeds but across the region, together with tens of thousands of businesses. It’s vital that the development of the CAZ is based on wide consultation to maximise its effectiveness and not have an adverse impact on the wider economy and people’s quality of life”.

Local and City authorities identified as having severe air quality issues are required to submit plans for their CAZs to central government by March this year. The government has set out criteria around which types of vehicles can be charged to access the CAZ. Leeds City Council has opted to design a CAZ that will charge lorries and taxis for access, unless they meet the higher Euro VI emission standards.

To coincide with the Leeds event, the BVRLA has published a new factsheet outlining its proposals for a fleet-friendly air quality policy. As well as highlighting the clean air credentials of the vehicle rental, leasing and car club sectors.