When these requirements come into effect in 2023, according to Spanish media, it will be mandatory to establish low-emission zones (LEZ) in almost 150 Spanish municipalities.
The restrictions will start with the oldest models of vehicles that do not meet the conditions for an environmental DGT sticker, followed gradually by vehicles with C and B stickers. The DGT (Directorate General for Traffic of Spain) is a classification system for vehicles in the city aimed at positively discriminating in favor of the most ecological vehicles and thus introduces an effective tool into municipal policy, both for imposing driving restrictions during high air pollution and for promoting new technologies through tax incentives or mobility and environmental benefits.
Five vehicle categories have been established according to their potential for pollutant emissions:
No sticker - Vehicles that do not meet the minimum environmental requirements will not receive a DGT label. These are the vehicles most affected by urban movement restrictions. They include gasoline cars older than EURO 3 and diesel cars older than EURO 4. The restriction also applies to Euro 1 motorcycles and mopeds.
B sticker – Gasoline cars and light utility vehicles Euro 3 or diesel Euro 4 or Euro 5. Vehicles with more than eight seats and for goods transport, classified as Euro 4 or Euro 5 regardless of the fuel type. Motorcycles and mopeds Euro 2.
C sticker - Cars and light utility vehicles powered by gasoline Euro 4, 5, or 6 or by diesel with Euro 6. Vehicles with more than eight seats and for goods transport, listed in the vehicle register as Euro 6 regardless of the fuel type. Motorcycles and mopeds Euro 3 and Euro 4.
ECO sticker - Vehicles with more than eight seats and for goods transport, listed in the vehicle register as plug-in hybrids with a range < 40 km, hybrids (HEV), vehicles powered by natural gas, vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) or LPG. In any case, they must also meet the Euro 6 emission standard regardless of the fuel type. Motorcycles and mopeds in the HEV or PHEV category with a range under 40 km.
Zero emissions - Vehicles listed in the vehicle register as battery electric (BEV), extended range electric vehicles (REEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) with a minimum range of 40 km, or fuel cell vehicles (hydrogen).
Depending on the circumstances, some cities with 20,000 or more inhabitants will also be subject to restrictions. In total, approximately 25 million people live in these municipalities, representing 53% of all Spanish drivers.
If the same paragraph appeared in the Slovak climate law, it would directly affect all regional capitals and Martin. If we considered the extended version with cities from 20,000 inhabitants, it would be about 29% of all cities in Slovakia and would affect approximately 25% of all vehicles in Slovakia.
The original information is provided in Spanish News Today.