The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone (CAZ) brought in more than £2.4m in its first 11 months of operation.
Since 30 January 2023, older taxis, buses, coaches and lorries that do not meet minimum emissions standards have been charged between £12.50 and £50 a day to drive in the CAZ.
Since July, some vans have also been charged – but private cars remain exempt.
By the end of the year, drivers had paid £1.1m to enter the CAZ and a further £1.3m in penalty charge notices, which are issued when a CAZ payment is not made within six days.
The CAZ was introduced in response to a Government order to address illegal levels of pollution in certain areas.
Newcastle City Council said it would have data on the impact on air pollution later in the year, but added: ‘we are beginning to see a gradual decrease in the number of non-compliant vehicles entering the zone’.
The authority said more than 90% of vehicles that entered the CAZ are compliant with its emissions standards – however, this figure does include private cars.
The council has also approved grant funding worth more than £5m to help people replace older, more polluting vehicles.
