The Castilian-Leonese “capital” will turn a blind eye to those who need to enter the urban core of the city and have more economic difficulties to switch to electricity. Will this domino effect measure work?
The Climate Change Law 7/2021 by which the Government establishes that municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants must have a Low Emission Zone to reduce pollution in the center of cities, it has already been launched in several places in our country (Madrid 360 is good proof of this.) As of January 1, 2024, Valladolid will be added to the extensive list of towns. Its City Council has already announced that drivers of vehicles without an environmental label that since then exceed the established limits will face a fine of 200 euros… but there will be a logical exception.
The electrified car is not available to everyone
It turns out that, according to reports The North of Castile, the Plenary session of the Valladolid City Council will approve on December 13 an ordinance by which users who earn less income will be able to continue using their most polluting vehicles (diesel prior to 2006 or gasoline prior to 2000) without fear of receiving any sanction . And what do they call “low rents”? Well, the fixed margin is 10,920 euros per year if it is a person and 17,640 euros per year if it is a whole family.
In this way, the municipal managers intend to favor households that are economically weaker and those who find it more difficult to buy an ‘Eco’ or ‘0 Emissions’ vehicle. Let us remember that the average price of an electric in our country it now exceeds 34,000 euros…
It should also be noted that one year after the sanctions begin, in 2025, access to the center will be banned for vehicles labeled B and in 2030 it will even be prohibited to circulate through the LEZ to type C models.
What will happen in other Spanish cities?
Each city council is in charge of designing and regulating the mandatory LEZs, but there is no doubt that the measure adopted in Valladolid can lay the foundations for future similar ordinances… at least, until electrified cars become more accessible. Although it is not exactly the same, an example with which we can compare it is the one in Madrid today: residents of the LEZs, as well as merchants, service vehicles, etc., can enter them without the need for their car is cataloged with an environmental label from the DGT.