Currently reading: Spanish capital issues tough restrictions on polluting cars
Pre-2006 diesel and pre-2000 petrol cars to be banned from streets of Madrid as part of plan to reduce air pollution by 40%

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.  

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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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Drivers found to be in breach of the regulation will be subject to a fine of 90 euros (£80). At the 2016 C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City, Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena said: “the quality of air that we breathe in our cities is directly linked to tackling climate change.

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“As we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated in our cities, our air will become cleaner and our children, our grandparents and our neighbours will be healthier.”

With the introduction of the new regulations, the Spanish capital is following in the footsteps of Paris, which has banned all cars registered before 1997 from the city centre on weekdays, and cities with tightly-controlled congestion charge schemes such as London and Stockholm. 

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: News and features editor

Felix is Autocar's news editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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sierra 3 December 2018

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

Peter Cavellini 3 December 2018

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.

 

xxxx 3 December 2018

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.

scrap 3 December 2018

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.