Birmingham City Council has introduced a new Clean Air Zone, charging motorists £8 a day from today.
The new charge, which was originally set to come into force in January, means drivers of the most polluting vehicles must now pay a daily fee if they enter the city centre.
The daily levy applies from June 1, with fees payable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Drivers will be forced to pay £8 per day or more if they enter the zone with heavily polluting petrol and diesel cars.
The new scheme will launch on roads within the A540 Middleway which covers much of Birmingham's main city centre.
The scheme has been introduced to meet the city's air pollution targets and to help cut back on toxic emissions.
It is hoped the project will also encourage people to take public transport or use their bicycles for short journeys.
But the scheme has been met with some opposition for locals who claim it could have a negative impact on the city.
Many hospitality businesses want the scheme delayed more until they properly recover from the pandemic.
Councillor Waseem Zaffar said the scheme had been "delayed too long" and it had to launch on June 1.
He said: "Back in 2017 the Conservative Government issued us with a directive to bring down levels of nitrous oxide (mostly generated by vehicle fumes) to a maximum average of 40μg/m3 (40 parts per cubic metre) as soon as possible.
"We looked at a range of options but ultimately we needed to act quickly. Birmingham's air makes us the most polluted city outside London. A charging Clean Air Zone is the best option to bring about rapid change."
Birmingham Council has confirmed there will be some "short term exemptions" in place to help those affected by the new charge.
Zaffar said drivers will not be charged for entering Birmingham's new Clean Air Zone for the first two weeks to give peopl 2tiem to adjust".
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These exemptions will apply to residents, workers, commercial vehicles and community cars.
Other exceptions will apply to specialist vehicles, community and school transport, disabled and some classic cars.
The £10 million project aims to help people working in the Clean Air Zone who earn less than £30,000.
The UK's existing Clean Air Zone is already London and is called the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
To enter ULEZ, you currently need to pay £12.50 on top of any congestion charge fees.
From October 25, 2021, the ULEZ area will expand up to the North and South Circular ring roads but stop short of including them.
Clean Air Zone charges are also being considered in Bath this year, which could see more residents and commuters hit with daily road charges, in an attempt to discourage journeys and lower pollution.
The charge in Birmingham amounts to £40 every week for commuters.
