The Spanish capital of Madrid has introduced some of the toughest restrictions yet on older, polluting vehicles, virtually banning pre-2006 diesel and pre-2000 petrol-engined cars from entering the city centre.
The new restrictions are part of the Madrid Central scheme, which aims to reduce air pollution in the city by up top 40%, with a series of progressively tougher rules that are set to eventually ban non-zero emission vehicles.
Under the scheme, a new universal emissions test will produce a rating for each car, and its eligibility to enter a designated low emission zone, which is marked clearly at its boundaries and monitored by CCTV. Diesel vehicles manufactured before 2006 and petrol vehicles built before 2000 are not eligible for a low emission zone entry sticker. Owners of such vehicles will have to prove that they have access to private parking in the zone, and register their vehicle in advance of entering.
The scheme is expected to affect 20% of cars in the city centre. As well as tackling pollution levels, the scheme is designed to encourage cycling and reduce traffic noise.
In 2020, older diesel and petrol vehicles will be banned entirely from the central zone. Meanwhile, parking and driving restrictions for owners of hybrid vehicles with an ‘eco’ label have been heavily relaxed, in order to encourage residents to consider newer, cleaner vehicles.
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Still is....
Diesel here still has a lower tax regime at the pump compared to petrol - typically 5c per litre. There are proposals to eliminate this difference, but the problems in France are no doubt being taken into account
Diesel was King...?
Certainly in the thirty odd years in Spain Deisel was numero uno there, just about any transport with the exception of Motor cycles was Diesel powered, no there so many Vehicles on the Road particularly in Cities pollution has become a big problem, so like Rome I think and Paris trying to impose a ban to reduce it seems the way to go. Also though, I know Spain is in the same Boat as us economically, they can’t have a scrappage scheme so older Fossil fuelled cars can be swapped for cleaner ones, maybe in Cities they should look at Electrifying Buses,Taxis, Vans, Trucks under 5Tons, there’s no easy fix, and it’s getting harder for their powers that be to solve it.
Another nail in the coffin
No number of 'emission control extras' will save the diesel car for city commuters especially when factoring in the effect of depreciation will have with measures like this being implemented around the world.
Be interesting to see the effect of new Diesel car sales in and around Madrid.
Rattle In Peace or survive on 20% of the market.
Urban air quality needs
Urban air quality needs drastic improvement, but it seems the unexpected joy of seeing a cherished clsssic or even a now rare older car in the city will soon be a thing of the past. My neighbour has a 2CV and drives it about once a week. That car would be impossible to keep under these rules.