Wednesday 1 January 2020

Barcelona introduces low-emission zone across city

Barcelona has introduced an anti-pollution measure that restricts access by some vehicles to almost all of the city and other surrounding towns.

Barcelona hopes to cut the number of cars in the city by 125,000 within three years, and to reduce air pollution by 20% by 2024.

Drivers bringing banned cars into the low-emission zone (LEZ) will be fined various amounts depending on the severity of the offence.

For instance when pollution is high, cars, motorbikes and light goods vehicles could receive a fine of between €500 and €999. When pollution is low the fines are smaller.

The LEZ covers most of the city and four towns in the metropolitan area. Some areas are excluded, including the city's main ring-roads. The restrictions apply Monday to Friday, from 7am until 8pm.

The aim of the LEZ is to stop petrol cars registered before 2000, diesel cars registered before 2006, vans registered before October 1, 1994, and motorbikes and mopeds registered before 2003 entering the city.

Madrid already has a LEZ in operation but it coves a much smaller area than the one introduced by Barcelona.