Low-emission zones (LEZs) continue to confuse motorists on an unprecedented scale. There is no justification for the fact that each of Spain’s 149 cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants has different low-emission laws.
The only thing that many of them have in common is the fine of 200 euros that they can charge you if you break the municipal regulation, which is really difficult in most of them as you have to expect differences in some areas Whether or not you take home a fine of 200 euros depends on the pavement of the street, as unbadged cars can be parked on one side of the street and not on the opposite side of the street.
200 euros, no more
Among the 149 cities, there are situations as varied as Madrid, where any car without a tag that dares to approach the area delimited by the M-30 will be fined, or Gijón, where the new company, which took office weeks ago, has not done so to activate LEZs at this time.
Another of the most unique cases is that of Barcelona. In Barcelona, ​​​​​​like Madrid, the courts have nullified the environmental zones because of the way they were set up.
LEZ prosecuted
The reason was the lack of an economic study on the economic consequences of its application. Logically, the local authorities have appealed the verdict, so although the zones are activated, they are awaiting the final decision that could fundamentally change how they operate.
In Barcelona, ​​too, we find ourselves in one of the most complicated situations, since the company, led by Mayor Ada Colau at the time, decided to open the city to certain groups, regardless of the color of the sticker on their car.
The general regulation prohibits the movement of unmarked cars from Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Without distinguishing between private vehicles and vans.
The exceptions of Barcelona
Thus, people with reduced mobility, emergency services, foreign vehicles, patients on their way to emergency or medical treatment, professional vehicles, individuals going to the workshop, special or professional vehicles, and professionals in general close to retirement can circulate without restrictions through Barcelona, provided they register on a website created by the municipal council.
The City Council also allows up to 24 extraordinary permits, allowing city-registered people to drive any car, which also requires them to register online.
There is one last case that also allows unrestricted entry, and that is for the lowest incomes. Thus, all people who have a monthly income of less than double the IPEM indicator (579 euros per month) can drive a car, regardless of the family composition or the make of their car.
PUBLIC INCOME INDICATOR
- One member: 1,159 euros/month
- Two members: 1,449 euros/month
- Three members: 1,680 euros/month
- Four members: 1,910 euros/month
It is not surprising that this type of regulation and the peculiarities of its operation cause an uproar among millions of motorists.
