Unlocking the Basics of Low Emission Zones in Europe: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding LEZ Concepts
Unlocking the Basics of Low Emission Zones in Europe: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding LEZ Concepts
Introduction
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas within a city where the most polluting vehicles are regulated. Usually this means that vehicles with higher emissions cannot enter the area or have to pay if they enter the low emission zone. LEZ are often the most effective measure that towns and cities can take to improve air pollution.
The new environmental sensitivity and new parameters for CO2 emission reduction has lead cities to introduce traffic limitation in certain areas. In fact, nowadays, Low Emission Zones (LEZ) have assumed crucial importance in big cities. They are set up to encourage owners of the most polluting vehicles to either buy cleaner vehicles, modify their vehicles to be less polluting, or use alternative forms of transport.
In 2022 there were 320 cities across Europe. By 2025, It is expected that will be 520.
Pollution. Affection in Humans
Low emission zones reduce emissions of PM, CO NOx, THC, and NMHC. These are the main air pollutants of concern in Europe. Following we explain them (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2023):
PM. Particulate Matter, also known as Fine particulates, is measured as PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 micrometre in diameter) or PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2,5 micrometre in diameter).
Bigger particles, called PM10, can irritate eyes, nose, and throat. Fine (smaller) particles, called PM2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of lungs — or even into blood.
CO. Carbon Monoxide is a poisoning gas which interferes with oxygen delivery to the body's organs that can lead to dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness among other effects and death.
NOx. Nitrogen oxides. Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause damage to the human respiratory tract and increase a person's vulnerability to, and the severity of, respiratory infections and asthma. Long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause chronic lung disease.
THC. Total Hydrocarbons is a term used to describe a large family of several hundred chemical compounds that originally come from crude oil. Because there are so many different chemicals in crude oil and in other petroleum products, it is not practical to measure each one separately. Some of the TPH compounds can affect your central nervous system. One compound can cause headaches and dizziness at high levels in the air. Another compound can cause a nerve disorder called "peripheral neuropathy," consisting of numbness in the feet and legs. Other TPH compounds can cause effects on the blood, immune system, lungs, skin, and eyes.
NMHC. Ambient non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) are important precursors of ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Non-methane hydrocarbons may produce respiratory and circulatory diseases.
Air pollution can lead to poor health and to death. It has huge costs, in both health and money:
What the references say is:
- Air pollution is responsible for 310 000 premature deaths in Europe each year (European Environment Agency, 2023).
- Air pollution causes more premature deaths than road accidents (European Council, 2023).
- The human health damage from air pollution is estimated to cost the European economy between €427 and €790 billion per year (Schurr, 2010).
Air pollution most affects the very young and the old and those with heart and lung diseases. Heart and lung diseases are both common causes of death in Europe. Air pollution also triggers health problems like asthma attacks and increases hospital admissions and days off sick.
Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic (causing cancer) by the World Health Organisation, which means that reducing diesel emissions is especially important for health.
Vehicles Classification. EURO standards
In Europe the vehicles are classified throughout EURO standards since 1993. It can find up to 6 different EURO standards. In the following table it can be shown the EURO standards features for petrol and diesel engines and their year or application (RAC, 2023). Interesting to see their evolution throughout the time.
Emission badge
An emission badge, also known as an environmental or emission sticker, is a visual indicator displayed on a vehicle to signify its compliance with specific environmental standards.
Every country can define its emissions badges in function of its needs based on the EURO standards. Usually, these badges will correspond to a sticker that will be displayed in the windscreen of every car. Each sticker will serve for only one country, if a car has to move to another country, it will have to look for the stickers and regulations of that country and adapt to them.
For example, Spain has defined 4 different badges with 4 different colors: Zero-emissions (blue), Eco (green and blue), C (green) and B (yellow).
- Zero-emissions badge which is Blue includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs), range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with a range of at least 40 km, and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
- Eco includes hybrid vehicles and natural gas vehicles.
- C includes petrol vehicles which complain with EURO 4 and diesel vehicles which complain with EURO 6.
- B includes petrol vehicles which complain with EURO 3 and diesel vehicles which complain with EURO 4.
Retrofitting
If the diesel vehicle does not meet the standards chosen and settled for a city it may be able to retrofit it if the regulations allowing it. There are 2 main filters to install: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
Diesel particulate filter
A diesel particulate filter is a device that reduces the diesel particulate matter from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. It is the most used to retrofit vehicles. They can be fitted to vehicles in the factory to new vehicles, or once they have been on the road (retrofitted).
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
This is technology that can be fitted to existing vehicles to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by up to 70%.
Regulations are specific for type of vehicle
Regulations take into account aside the source of energy (petrol/diesel), the type of vehicle. Type of vehicle can be cars, Light duty vans, heavy goods vehicle (HGV), motorcycles.
An example of this issue is that in Paris the regulations are active daily for the HGV and only in working days for the others.
Another example is that cities can put different permits and badges to different types of vehicles, for example diesel HGV are allowed at least EURO 6 while diesel cars are allowed at least EURO 5.
Enforcement method
There are 3 main types of enforcement.
Camera enforced
In the entry points of a LEZ there are cameras that recognize each vehicle’s license plate passing in front of them and send the information to database. Once the information is received by the DM, it can establish if the vehicle is entitled or not to enter the protected area.
Manual through stickers or color coding system
Every car has to have a sticker displayed in their windscreen that shows the emissions badge to which they belong, each badge has different color. Not having the sticker or if that sticker does not comply with the regulations means that this vehicle can be fined if an officer notices it.
Manual
An officer can stop a car and ask for the documentation in order to check if this car is allowed or banned to circulate.
Hours of operation
The LEZ would be defined for different hours of operation, and these hours can be specific for every type of vehicle (car, light duty vans, heavy good vehicle …), every source of energy (petrol/diesel), every type of day (weekly or daily) or different season (winter/summer).
Usually from less to more time, the hours of operation can cover rush hours (morning/evening rush hour, e.g. 8 am to 10 am), can cover the daily working hours (8 am to 8 pm) or the whole day.
Fees and charges
Dealing with vehicles that do not comply with city regulations and enter Low Emissions Zones involves employing various approaches, primarily through fees and charges.
A "charge" serves as a tool to incentivize individuals to transition to more sustainable modes of transportation. Essentially, it acts as a financial encouragement for people to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, thereby contributing to the overall goal of reducing emissions in the city.
On the other hand, a "fee" represents a penalty imposed by cities on the owners of vehicles that violate regulations within Low Emissions Zones. This fee acts as a deterrent and is intended to discourage non-compliance with the law. By imposing penalties on violators, cities aim to enforce regulations, maintain air quality standards, and ensure that the benefits of Low Emissions Zones are not compromised by vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards.
Exemptions
Every city can determine exemptions at its regulations, for example, vehicles used for transporting people with illnesses that limit their use of public transport, vehicles used for transporting people with reduced mobility, emergency and essential services and foreign-licence vehicles that meet the requirements for travelling.
Permits
It would be possible to issue special permits, for example, occasional 24-day access, including vintage and classic vehicles, vehicles used for transporting people who have to undergo periodic medical treatment, special vehicles that provide an exceptional service or activity.
Implementation by phases
The LEZ program is generally defined in phases, starting with a baseline and increasing restrictions over time.
For example, in Sophia the different phases are defined like this:
The first phase, which will begin on 1 December 2023 prohibits vehicles in the lowest emissions category (Euro 1) from entering the city center in the so-called small ring.
The second phase, which will begin on 1 December 2024, will prohibit vehicles in the second-lowest emissions category (Euro 2) from entering the city centre.
In the winter of 2025, restrictions will come into force in the area that falls within the so-called great ring. Initially, the restrictions will apply to cars in Euro 1, and two years later, from the winter of 2027 – Euro 2.
Another example is Amsterdam where:
In 2020 prohibited diesel vehicles in the category Euro 3 from entering the city centre, in the 2025 will be Euro 4, and by 2030, all will be banned.
Temporary Restrictions During High Pollution Episodes
During instances of severe atmospheric pollution episodes, specific measures are implemented to address the heightened pollution levels. Taking Barcelona as an example, when an episode of atmospheric NO2 pollution is declared, a set of temporary restrictions come into effect.
Examples
Comparition
This table shows a comparison between 3 different cities with similar regulations.
Scheme Example
The following is an example from Turin to show how complex the regulations can be:
How can a city further address air pollution apart from implementing a low emission zone?
While a low emission zone restricts the movement of highly polluting vehicles in a specific area, effectively diminishing pollution, it is not always sufficient on its own. Additional measures are required to comprehensively tackle the issue (Urban Access Regulations in Europe, 2023).
Measures related to transportation and mobility
- Measures aimed at diminishing traffic volume and enhancing alternative transportation options encompass the promotion of efficient and eco-friendly public transport, the provision of well-developed cycling infrastructure, the implementation of low-emission car-sharing programs, and the adoption of suitable urban planning strategies.
- Implementing city road tolls or access regulations specific to various vehicles or trips serves to curtail traffic, ensuring improved mobility for those reliant on motor vehicles. Incentives for environmentally friendly vehicles, such as reduced road taxes, more affordable tolls, and grants for electric or hybrid vehicles, as well as accessible parking options, contribute to fostering cleaner transportation practices.
- Efforts to streamline traffic flow, such as synchronized traffic lights, prove beneficial in optimizing the overall movement of vehicles. Additionally, enforcing reduced speed limits on high-speed roads not only enhances traffic efficiency but also ensures vehicles operate at cleaner and more fuel-efficient speeds.
- Encouragement for the adoption of the cleanest vehicles, including those with zero emissions (on the road), electric, hydrogen, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, or vehicles equipped with the latest technologies such as diesel particulate filters, plays a pivotal role in promoting environmentally conscious transportation.
- Information campaigns addressing practices like turning off engines while stationary to prevent idling, along with general awareness initiatives regarding air quality levels, contribute to fostering a collective commitment to reducing pollution and promoting sustainable transportation habits.
Measures not related to transportation and mobility
- Regulating emissions from factories and power stations.
- Implementing controls on construction sites, such as minimizing demolition dust.
- Enhancing energy efficiency to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
- Regulating the use of coal, oil, or wood burning.
- Promoting cleaner heating systems through grant funding or mandatory compliance with minimum standards.
- Adopting cleaner service vehicles at airports.
- Electrifying train lines and improving train engines, as well as utilizing cleaner diesel fuel for trains.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2023). Retrieved from https://wwwn.cdc.gov/
European Council. (2023). Air quality. Retrieved from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/air-quality/
European Environment Agency. (2023). Air pollution. Retrieved from https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in-depth/air-pollution
RAC. (2023). Euro Emissions Standards. Retrieved from https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/emissions/euro-emissions-standards/
Schurr, A. (2010). Ozone Safety: Low Emission Zones in Full Effect Over in Europe.
Urban Access Regulations in Europe. (2023). Retrieved from https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/
