The court ruling that partially upholds Vox’s appeal against low-emission zones has raised many expectations among motorists who drive around the city of Madrid on a daily basis. The decree removes the capital’s low-emission zones, but that does not mean that the restrictions contained in the municipal ordinance no longer apply. Here are some of the questions and answers on the subject.
Which low emission zones do the regulations apply to?
The ruling annulled all the low-emission zones in the capital: the one in Plaza Elíptica, the one in the centre and the one that applies throughout the city to vehicles without a label and not registered in the capital. The latter will also be extended from January next year to vehicles without a resident sticker.
What does the sentence say?
Considers that there is a “manifest inadequacy” in the economic impact report prior to the approval of the Ordinance.
Who would be harmed by the restrictions established?
The ruling considers that they likely affect people with “lesser economic capacity, who are prevented or seriously hampered in their ability to access new vehicles that meet environmental requirements.”
Does the judgment refer to professional vehicles?
Yes; stresses that the measures concern thousands of professional vehicles and believes that the situation of groups of companies with less economic capacity to renew vehicles should have been taken into account, such as the self-employed, microenterprises or SMEs. And it is regrettable that the reports prior to the approval of the ordinance also make no reference to this issue.
Does the decision cancel low-emission zones?
No, until the sentence is final. Currently, the city council has 30 days to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Who filed this appeal?
It was presented by the municipal group Vox. The High Court of Justice of Madrid partially upholds its request, although it also rejects other allegations related to irregularities in the procedure for approving the Ordinance.
