Clean Air Zone grants scheme to end next year

A grants scheme that’s paid out over £5.5m to help people and businesses affected by the Clean Air Zone will close early next year.

Drivers and businesses who have not yet applied for, or claimed, vehicle upgrade funding are being urged to take action before 30 January 2026.

The funding was launched alongside the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone to support those affected to upgrade to cleaner vehicles.

Since then, more than £5.5m has been paid out to help over 1,100 local businesses, tradespeople and taxi drivers replace older vehicles, helping to cut harmful pollution from vehicle emissions.

However, time is now running out for new applicants to take advantage of the grant funding.

Cllr Juna Sathian, Cabinet Member for Climate and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: “We can see from the latest pollution data that our air quality is improving since the introduction of the Clean Air Zone.

“We are seeing the positive impact of people switching to vehicles with cleaner engines and the grants scheme has given financial support to many people who have made this important change.

“Financial support is still available but this will be coming to an end in January so I would encourage anyone who is eligible who has not yet applied to do so as soon as possible.”

Newcastle and Gateshead councils have confirmed that the grant application process will close on 30 January 2026 – three years since the launch of the CAZ.

While there was high demand for funding at the launch of the scheme, applications have significantly declined over recent months.

The decision to close the scheme will allow any remaining funding to be redirected towards upgrading older, more polluting bus fleets, which is expected to have a further positive impact on air quality across the region.

Grants are available for non-compliant vehicles that would otherwise be charged to enter the Clean Air Zone. This includes many older taxis, vans, and HGVs.

Private cars and motorbikes are not affected by the CAZ and are therefore not eligible for grant funding.

The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone was introduced by local councils in response to a legal order from government demanding that action be taken to reduce illegal levels of pollution in certain areas.

Full details of the funding, including eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com/grants.