What are low emission zones and what do they mean for you in 2023?

From 2023, the
Climate change law It requires all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants to develop plans to introduce so-called Low Emission Zones (ZBE), which will prevent numerous cars from entering the urban centers of the affected places. These restricted traffic areas are already a reality in some cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but a few days after they came into effect in many cities, almost half of Spaniards do not know what they are.

As confirmed by a study conducted by the fleet management and corporate mobility company,
alphabet eight out of ten Spaniards are in favour
the introduction of low emission zones, although 3 out of 10 only as long as they do not affect their mobility with their vehicle. In addition, 29% of those surveyed believe that this measure is a response to political objectives and 25% confirm that it pursues a collection goal, and almost 4 out of 10 Spanish drivers do not know which environmental label their vehicle has.

The new low-emission zones must come into effect from 2023
more than 150 Spanish municipalities. According to Sumauto, there are about 11.5 million cars passing through these cities in Spain and of those, the measure will affect at least nearly four million vehicles that do not have a DGT badge. And it is that this badge, which categorizes vehicles according to their level of pollution, will be the one that will set the standard for which vehicles are allowed to enter these areas and which are not.

In the event that we have any doubts about the regulations our car engine complies with, we should refer to the owner’s manual, where it will appear abbreviated (eg EU4) or refer to the technical inspection card of the vehicle. With this and with the BOE we can clearly indicate which label belongs to our car, since the Official Gazette does not speak of data but of vehicle types (see appendix VIII).

In blue is the ZERO emissions label for L, M1, N1, M2, M3, N2 and N3 vehicles classified in the vehicle registry as battery electric vehicles (BEV), extended range electric vehicle ( REEV), vehicle plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with a minimum range of 40 kilometers or fuel cell vehicles.

In blue and green, it corresponds to M1 and N1 vehicles classified in the vehicle register as plug-in hybrid vehicles with a range <40 km, non-plug-in hybrid vehicles (HEV), natural gas vehicles, compressed natural gas (vehicles on CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). They must in any case meet the criteria of label C.

Vehicles M2, M3, N2 and N3 classified in the vehicle registration as plug-in hybrids with a range of <40 km, non-plug-in hybrids (HEV), powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). They must in any case meet the criteria of label C.

It is green and corresponds to M1 and N1 vehicles classified in the vehicle register as EURO 4/IV, 5/V or 6/VI petrol or EURO 6/VI diesel.

M2, M3, N2 and N3 vehicles classified in the vehicle register as Euro VI/6 petrol or Euro VI/6 diesel.

It is yellow, and the one that will carry the M1 and N1 vehicles classified in the vehicle register as petrol EURO 3/III or Diesel EURO 4/IV or 5/V. M2, M3, N2 and N3 vehicles classified in the vehicle register as Euro IV/4 or V/5 petrol or Euro IV/4 or V/5 diesel.

To analyze the differences in perception and knowledge of the ZBE of citizens depending on their place of residence,
alphabet conducted a study based on two population samples: the citizens of
the 17 main capitals of each Autonomous Community and a representative sample of 100 Spanish municipalities with a population of between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that the level of knowledge of the LEZs is very similar, both among the inhabitants of the main capitals and those of the municipalities analysed, at 55% and 50% respectively. However, despite these figures, 27.5% of those who claim to be aware of these LEZs do not know how they will affect their daily lives.

In addition, although the majority of those surveyed are in favor of introducing this measure, almost 3 in 10 are as long as it does not affect mobility with their vehicle.

Due to the introduction of these low-emission zones, the most polluting vehicles will no longer be able to reach the center of the cities. In Spain, with a mobile fleet whose average age
is older than 13 years, many of the vehicles that now drive through the center of cities will no longer be able to do so. However, only 16% of those surveyed think they will have to buy a more sustainable vehicle to reach the center of their city for this reason. Of those who appreciate this option, the majority choose non-plug-in hybrids (33%), followed by those who would choose a 100% electric car (22%) and those who would choose less polluting diesel or petrol than they currently have (18%).

Apart from the LEZs, the Spaniards think so
there are other measures to improve the air in your city. The promotion they find most interesting, at 83%, is the promotion of public transport (free season tickets, more lines, higher frequency…), followed by the promotion of support plans for the purchase of electric vehicles (50%). Other measures that are also highly appreciated by more than 40% of respondents are the construction of deterrent parking spaces at the entrances of cities or the enlargement of pedestrian areas.

As for the reasons that led the government to create ZBE, 69% of Spaniards believe they are responding to environmental reasons, followed by those who believe that its implementation is carried out to improve the health of citizens (36%). However, 29% of those surveyed indicated that
This measure serves political purposes and 25% pursuing a collection target.

Source: La Verdad

Ida

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.