Low Emission Zones launching today will see motorists fined £60 a day for driving petrol and diesel cars

It comes as new data has found that almost half of Scottish motorists are unaware if they understand the rules of the Low Emission Zone, leaving thousands at risk of being hit with a fine.

Around one-quarter of motorists said they were also unsure if their vehicle is LEZ compliant or not, with experts urging motorists to use the number plate check on the Government website.

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Petrol vehicles generally registered from 2006 onwards will meet the Euro 4 standard, while diesel vehicles must be Euro 6 (generally registered from September 2015) and Euro VI for buses, coaches and HGVs January 2013 onwards).

All non-compliant vehicles entering a LEZ across Scotland will see them hit with a £60 fine, with the rate doubling for each subsequent breach, capped at £480 for cars and LGVs, while minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs could see maximum fines of £980.

Sally Foote, chief commercial officer for Sell my Car at Carwow said: “There are two clear issues that have come to light here.

"Firstly, that more needs to be done to educate and inform drivers about LEZs, and secondly, it is cost and not lack of willing that is preventing drivers from making the switch to cleaner vehicles such as EVs and hybrids.

“We therefore need to tackle the lack of understanding amongst motorists about Low Emission Zones in Scotland – where they are and which cars are compliant - because, without better knowledge, millions of drivers are at risk of being fined.

"There is also much more that needs to be done in terms of affordability. Most drivers want to do what they can to drive more cleanly – in fact, most want to own an EV - but it is just not economically viable at the moment."

A recent poll found that 60 per cent of Scottish respondents were in favour of the zones, with just 21 per cent of people opposed, with politicians and local councillors in support of the new scheme.

Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener at Edinburgh City Council, said he was proud to reach such an important milestone.

He added: "For the past two years we’ve run a positive information campaign to give people time to get ready for the LEZ, and to make sure they avoid penalties once enforcement begins."

Further data from Carwow found that 52 per cent of people believe electric vehicles are the future, although 53 per cent believe now is the "wrong time" to introduce a LEZ.

Of the Scots surveyed who currently own a non-compliant vehicle, 33 per cent said they cannot afford to upgrade, rising to almost four-in-10 drivers in Dundee.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: "While motorists were given a two-year grace period to prepare for these new LEZ enforcements, it’s important to realise they’ve had 24 months of extremely high fuel prices, an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and insurance premiums at an all-time high, making it very challenging for drivers of older vehicles to upgrade.

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"Those on low incomes who live within 12 miles of a LEZ boundary may be eligible for a grant of up to £3,000, so it’s well worth checking the Energy Saving Trust’s website."