Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol have all announced expansions to their Clean Air Zone boundaries effective from mid-2026, creating urgent pressure on fleet operators to upgrade older diesel vans. Vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 emission standards will face daily charges of up to £100 in the most restricted areas. Industry analysts suggest this will trigger an accelerated replacement cycle for an estimated 180,000 commercial vehicles nationwide. Leasing companies report a sharp increase in enquiries for Euro 6 compliant and electric vans as businesses seek to avoid charges and protect profit margins.
