Posts of category: Spain
New rules for low emission zones in January 2022
The new year is barely a few days old, but already there are important changes in the environmental zones in many European cities. Often the changes only affect individual cities, but sometimes they affect entire countries. But some tightening has been postponed, on the one hand because pollutants have decreased due to the pandemic-related decrease in traffic, and on the other hand because drivers want to be given enough time to adjust to innovations in difficult times. Green-Zones® lists the new rules for January.
Low emission zones & driving bans: What will change in 2022?
Originally, a whole series of new rules and driving restrictions were to come into force in the year that is coming to an end. But the unpredictable pandemic led many municipalities and conurbations to postpone the introduction of an environmental zone or to abandon it altogether because pollution levels had improved. The latter may be directly related to the decreased traffic during the curfews. Nevertheless, we at Green-Zones® show where things are still happening and who will be affected by future driving bans in 2022.
Motorway made of paper
Usually, our roads and motorways are made of concrete. The mixture of sand, water and cement is cheap, stable and easy to form. But when it comes to the CO2 balance, the building material does not make a good impression at all.
Spanish Low Emission Zones explained
There are currently 5 low emission zones in Spain. These are in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Valladolid. Only the zone in Barcelona is permanently valid. The other zones are weather-related air protection zones and are only activated in the event of severe air pollution. Which vehicles are then banned is not generally specified. Depending on the degree of air pollution, the government decides which vehicles may continue to enter.
Environmental zone offensive in Spain
In the next few years, owners of old vehicles will have a hard time in Spain. The largest environmental zone in Europe is being introduced in Madrid. In the rest of the country, the number of low emission zones will increase 30-fold!
Spain: new low emission zones, new signs
By 2023, many cities in Spain will have to introduce low emission zones by law. Both domestic and foreign vehicles are affected. A new traffic sign is now to mark the environmental zones in a uniform and clearly recognisable way.
Spain: 150 new environmental zones
Spain is getting serious in the fight against combustion cars. A new law requires cities with over 50,000 inhabitants to introduce environmental zones. About 150 cities are affected. In addition, taxes on diesel and petrol vehicles and tolls on motorways are to make driving more difficult for Spaniards.
Madrid loses environmental zone
The permanently valid Madrid Central environmental zone is cancelled due to formal deficiencies. The zone had reduced air pollution by 22%. The city is now threatened with a fine from Brussels if it cannot reduce air pollution otherwise.
Car-free zones? Not in Berlin
The closure of an intersection in Berlin divides the neighbourhood. Many older people oppose the pilot project, families with children and younger people were in favour. The project shows how important the car is to many Germans. Other countries show that it is possible to live without a car.
Barcelona bans all vehicles by 2030
The Spanish metropolis is to become completely car-free in 10 years. This would give the city the strictest environmental zone in Europe.