LEEDS City Council has awarded more than £3.7 million to help local businesses switch to ‘greener’ vehicles.

The authority will introduce a Clean Air Charging Zone, which will see polluting lorries, coaches, taxis and private hire firms charged for entering parts of the city, later this year. Aimed at cutting air pollution, the zone is supported by £29 million of government funding which is helping businesses change to lower emission vehicles.

New data reveals that taxi and private hire operators in Leeds have replaced about 1,000 diesel and petrol vehicles with lower emission hybrid, electric or LPG powered vehicles since last January.

The city council’s Executive Member for Air Quality, Councillor James Lewis, said: “I strongly encourage every affected vehicle owner to visit our website and find out what they need to do to prepare and explore the financial support and exemptions available.”

For more details visit : www.leeds.gov.uk/cleanairzone.