Diesel car drivers spared extra charges in Leeds low emission zone

Drivers of diesel cars may be feeling slightly demonised of late, with a new toxicity charge in central London, higher parking charges in certain areas and talk of outright bans from some cities. But drivers in Leeds will face no such charges, after the city council decided to nix a potential diesel charge in favour of penalising older lorries, coaches, and taxis instead.

Leeds is the first of 28 cities required to publish plans to tackle air pollution. While drivers in the city were no doubt expecting a clampdown, the council ruled out targeting private diesel cars – citing the difficulty for low-income families to afford to change their vehicle.