Clean Air Fund application process

If you’re applying for the Clean Air Fund, you may want to understand how the full process will work. The upgrade or retrofitting process is slightly different, depending on the vehicle type. You can read more information at the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) website.

Please see the following steps to see how this will work. You can also refer to the full terms and conditions, which will be available soon.

• Taxi and private hire vehicles
• Buses, Coaches and Heavy Goods Vehicles

Apply for clean air zone funding

Taxi and private hire vehicles

If you plan to purchase an upgrade to your existing non-compliant vehicle:

1. Complete the application form. You’ll need to include:
   • a copy of the front page V5C for each non-compliant vehicle
   • your proof of lease document (if leasing your vehicle)
   • your previous month’s bank statement
   • any quotes you may have received from car dealerships for upgrading your vehicles.
2. Portsmouth City Council will assess your application, and ask for further information if this is needed.
3. If your application is approved, we’ll send you the grant agreement by email. This will include your approval letter and terms and conditions. We’ll also let you know if it isn’t approved and provide further advice.
4. Sign and return the Grant Agreement to Portsmouth City Council.
5. Identify which vehicle you want to purchase or lease within 3 months of your grant being approved, and let us know the details once you’ve decided.
6. Once your vehicle is approved, we will make the grant payment to you or directly to the vehicle dealership or seller.
7. You pay the remaining balance for the vehicle to the dealership or seller.
8. You email us evidence of your new vehicle purchase or lease within 7 days of receiving the grant. This could be a V5 document or sales invoice.
9. We’ll assess your grant claim and ask for further information if necessary. We’ll also check that your old, non-compliant vehicle has been unlicensed.

See full terms and conditions

Buses, Coaches and Heavy Goods Vehicles

If you plan to retrofit your existing non-compliant vehicle:

1. Complete the application form. You’ll need to include:
   • a copy of the front page V5C for each non-compliant vehicle
   • your proof of lease document (if leasing your vehicle)
   • your previous month’s bank statement
   • any quotes you may have received for upgrading your vehicles
   • evidence of how your business travels in the Clean Air Zone. This could be contracts, orders or telematics data.
2. Portsmouth City Council will assess your application, and ask for further information if this is needed.
3. If your application is approved, we’ll send you the grant agreement by email. This will include your approval letter and terms and conditions. We’ll also let you know if it isn’t approved and provide further advice.
4. Sign and return the Grant Agreement to Portsmouth City Council.
5. Make a booking for your vehicle to be retrofitted by a CVRAS accredited company. You need to do this within 28 days of receiving your grant acceptance letter. The date you book for the work needs to be within 4 months of receiving your grant acceptance letter.
6. Take your vehicle to the retrofit company, or arrange for the retrofitter to come to your company or local depot.
7. The company completes all retrofit works to your vehicles.
8. You email us claim documents and required evidence of the retrofit works. This includes a certificate of completion, a sales invoice and a photograph showing the new engine and vehicle registration plate.
9. You pay the remaining balance to the retrofit company.
10. We’ll assess your grant claim and ask for further information if necessary. Once it’s processed, we’ll make the grant payment directly to the retrofit company.
11. You confirm to Portsmouth City Council when the work is complete, and submit your telematics data (if applicable).

If you plan to purchase an upgrade to your existing non-compliant vehicle:

1. Complete the application form. You’ll need to include:
   • a copy of the front page V5C for each non-compliant vehicle
   • your proof of lease document (if leasing your vehicle)
   • your previous month’s bank statement
   • any quotes you may have received for upgrading your vehicles
   • evidence of how your business travels in the Clean Air Zone. This could be contracts, orders or telematics data.
2. Portsmouth City Council will assess your application, and ask for further information if this is needed.
3. If your application is approved, we’ll send you the grant agreement by email. This will include your approval letter and terms and conditions. We’ll also let you know if it isn’t approved and provide further advice.
4. Sign and return the Grant Agreement to Portsmouth City Council.
5. Identify which vehicle you want to purchase or lease within 3 months of your grant being approved, and let us know the details once you’ve decided.
6. We’ll review your application and approve the vehicle.
7. Pay the dealership the remaining balance of payment, or the full amount if you prefer.
8. You email us your completed claim form, and evidence of your new vehicle purchase or lease, such as a sales invoice. You’ll also need to provide evidence of your old, non-compliant vehicles being sold.
9. We’ll assess your grant claim and ask for further information if necessary.
10. Once the claim is processed, we will make the grant payment directly to the vehicle dealership or seller. If you’ve already paid the full amount, we’ll pay you directly.

See full terms and conditions for buses and coaches

See full terms and conditions for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)