The Barcelona City Council announced that the cars of low-income families will be able to circulate in Barcelona in the Low Emission Zones, ZBE, without having an environmental label.
In this way, low-income families will be able to circulate through the vetoed area with polluting and old cars that do not have the DGT environmental label.
Likewise, it was determined that the annual permits to circulate punctually without a sticker will increase from 10 to 24. The rest of the EPZ operation is maintained.
The restriction area covers Barcelona and four neighboring municipalities. Vehicles (with the exception of those described above) that do not have the label will be banned.
The hours of application of the restriction measure are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
The modifications to the regulation will be reflected in an update of the current ordinance, in order to give it legal support.
The Low Emission Zone in the Catalan capital is one of the largest in southern Europe, covering almost 100 square kilometers. Last March, the rule was overturned by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia. In this way, the TSJC responded to the appeals filed by guilds and associations linked to the motor and transport sectors.
It then judged the restriction to be “excessive” by geographic scope, which could potentially harm lower incomes.
However, the ZBE remains in force since the City Council appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that pollution must be fought to protect health.
Who are the low-income families
The main criterion for measuring the vulnerability of families with polluting cars will be that their income is less than twice the multiple effects income indicator, IPREM. That is to say:
- Not having an income of more than 1,158 euros per month (for one person).
- 1,447 euros per month for two people.
- 1,679 euros per month for three people.
- 1,910 in case of four or more persons.
In this order of ideas, the update of the ZBE ordinance establishes that those vehicle owners who can prove their income is less than twice the multiple effects income indicator will be the beneficiaries.
This income includes pensions, allowances, rents, rents or capital interest and increased according to the number of persons in the family unit.
They analyze that the measure in environmental terms will have small impacts, but at a social level it will have a great impact without the city having to give up having better air quality.
It is expected that the ordinance, after being socialized and discussed, could be approved in November. Afterwards, there will be allegations and if they are overcome, it could be definitively approved in January 2023.
