Carwow data reveals LEZs are reshaping car buying and selling trends
June 26, 2025 by Carwow staff
Car changing is a big deal
New research from Carwow – the UK’s leading online car-changing marketplace – highlights the growing influence of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) on consumer behaviour and car sales across the country.
With LEZs now active in major cities like London, Oxford, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, Carwow data reveals a clear shift away from high-emission vehicles and a growing interest in electric alternatives.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Electric vehicle demand surges in cities with stricter LEZ rules
In Oxford, where a Low Emission Zone was introduced in February 2022, is paving the way for the transition to electric. Now, electric vehicles account for 30% of all Carwow consumer enquiries – up from 22% in 2022 and well above Carwow’s UK average of 24%. In line with this trend, interest in petrol cars in Oxfordshire remains comparatively low at just 38%, versus a national average of 44%.
In Aberdeen, where the LEZ came into force in June 2024, EV enquiries on Carwow more than tripled year-on-year between 2023 and 2024. Similarly, Glasgow’s LEZ, introduced in June 2023, has driven petrol car enquiries down from 63% in 2023 to just 50% year-to-date in 2025. While Glasgow still sees above average interest in petrol cars, the LEZ may have accelerated the transition towards cleaner vehicle options.
Carwow’s data has seen the most pronounced shifts in buyer behaviour in cities with the strictest LEZ rules. In Scotland, for instance, LEZs effectively function as zero-emission zones, banning non-compliant vehicles from entering city centres and issuing fines of up to £480. In Oxford, charges of up to £10 per day create a strong disincentive to continue driving older, polluting vehicles.
By contrast, cities like Bath, Bradford, and Bristol – where Clean Air Zones (CAZs) primarily target commercial vehicles such as taxis and vans – there’s weaker correlations with EV interest. With fewer penalties applied to private motorists, consumer behaviour in these regions tends to follow national trends.
Diesel decline reflected in the used car market
As drivers increasingly switch to hybrid and electric vehicles, the second-hand market is also undergoing a shift. Between 2021 and 2024, the proportion of diesel vehicles listed for sale by consumers on Carwow’s national Sell My Car service dropped from 46% to 36%.
Although the latest SMMT data in April highlights a 10% fall in new car registrations, demand for hybrids and electric vehicles are up compared to the same period last year. In fact, the data shows a 34% and 8% year-on-year increase in new car registrations for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles respectively.
Regional LEZ data also supports this trend. In Aberdeen, consumers listing their diesel for sale fell from 43% to 37% between 2021 and 2024, while used EV listings rose from less than 1% to 5%. Edinburgh and London have seen similar changes, with used EV listings more than doubling or even quadrupling in size, albeit from a low base.
In London – where the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been active since 2019 – used diesel cars now represent just 27% of all listings for sale on Carwow, nine percentage points below the national average. Taken together, these shifts reflect faster adoption of low-and zero-emission vehicles in areas with stronger policy interventions.
“We’re seeing a clear correlation between the rollout of stricter Low Emission Zones and a meaningful shift in car buying behaviour in the UK’s most impacted cities,” said Sarah Blewett, Head of User Research at Carwow. “Local legislation is prompting real change at a regional level. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and financial implications of their choices, and many are now actively seeking cleaner alternatives. It’s a powerful signal that targeted, local policy can steer the market toward a greener future.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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