As of January 1, 2023, all cities with a population greater than 50,000 inhabitants must implement the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
More than a year later, the official map of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITMA) indicates that only 18 localities established and implemented their ZBE.
This means that only 18 of the more than 150 cities comply with the current regulations, while 111 have started the process and 24 have not yet submitted any restriction plan.
Why is the regulation not being complied with? Pablo Antonio D’Agostino, sustainability consultant, assures Mobility Portal España:
“There is a lack of state control and fines , as well as involvement of the media in disseminating the results.”
MITMA has issued warnings and enforcement measures over the past year and a half, but the effects of these actions have been limited.
In fact, recently, the mayor of Arganda del Rey expressed his opposition.
Alberto Escribano argues that the implementation of a ZBE is impossible due to the city’s topography, a position that was criticized by his predecessor, Guillermo Hita, who argues that it is a flagrant breach of the law.
The lack of an effective sanctioning regime was one of the main criticisms.
Carmen Duce, coordinator of the Clean Cities campaign, argues: “We find it worrying and serious that there are cities that do not want to implement a ZBE. If I have to comply with the laws, why don’t these mayors?”.
In this context, a problem emerges linked to the need to reduce emissions and harmonize this measure with the daily lives of citizens.
Gregorio Serrano López, Senior Advisor of Sustainable Mobility at EY España, says:
“Those who do not own suitable vehicles to access these areas, such as electric vehicles, face difficulties due to the high cost of these cars, which does not allow everyone to afford one.”
The Moves Plan is designed to facilitate the acquisition of these cars, but the complexity in obtaining the aid and the delay in receiving the discount mean that it is not accessible to everyone.
Similarly, MITMA allocated 1.5 billion euros from the “Low Emission Zone for Municipalities” line, intended to finance 1,064 actions aimed at decarbonising and digitalising urban mobility.
These include, for example, the acquisition of 1,024 zero-emission buses and the construction or improvement of more than 1,220 kilometres of cycle lanes.
In this context, May López, Director of Development at Companies for Sustainable Mobility, recommends promoting public-private collaboration, as well as facilitating decision-making for the implementation and improvement of LEZs.
To do this, it is recommended to promote tools such as TOOLBOX.
“It is a platform that brings together practical and enjoyable reference information on LEZs, initiatives and solutions that have already been implemented in other cities and that provide benefits and positive results,” she tells Mobility Portal España.
Low Emission Zones show uneven progress
Some cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, are pioneers in implementing traffic restrictions.
The Bilbao LEZ is the most recent to come into force, while the Toledo LEZ is one of the last to deploy the elements, sensors and signals necessary to complete its installation.
Zaragoza, for its part, is the last to have approved the technical project and the preliminary draft of the ZBE Ordinance.
There are other localities that have not yet initiated the procedures.
According to the official MITMA map, these include Aranjuez, Arganda del Rey, Arona, Barakaldo, Calvia, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Ferrol, several islands, Mijas, Motril, Orihuela, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Telde and Valdemoro.
In this regard, Gregorio Serrano points out to Mobility Portal Spain : “The ZBE is a complex process because it alters the configuration of cities by having to delimit restricted access zones.”
Adapting to these new regulations requires not only the creation of limited areas, but also the adaptation of urban infrastructure and public transport to ensure equitable access to these locations.
Now the government is warning that localities that do not meet the requirements by 2025 will lose access to state aid for public transport.
Ex officio actions were initiated in 33 cities that have not yet started or have halted the implementation of their LEZs.
These include the possibility of demanding the return of European funds if municipalities fail to fulfil their commitments.
The Secretary General of Sustainable Mobility, Álvaro Fernández Heredia , underlines the seriousness of the situation: “The ZBE are a legal obligation established in the Climate Change Law.”
