Low emission zones in urban areas
20.3.2023
Question for written answer E-000911/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Anne Sander (PPE)
In 2025, the new European emission standards, referred to as the Euro 7 standards, will come into force via the regulation on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles. These standards not only aim to gradually reduce emissions from cars and vans, but they will also lay the foundations for a number of national initiatives, paving the way for the introduction of low emission zones in urban areas.
Since 2018, Member States have been introducing environmentally friendly zones which are accessible only to vehicles that meet certain emission standards and accordingly display the appropriate sticker. The practicalities of obtaining this sticker, its appearance and validity differ from country to country.
This regulatory fragmentation poses a real obstacle to the free movement of motorists, especially considering the fact that between 2019 and 2022 there has been a 40 % increase in the number of these zones on European territory.
- 1.Has the Commission carried out any impact assessments on the introduction of a European environmental sticker which would harmonise the conditions of access to low emission zones across the Member States?
- 2.Will the Commission submit a proposal based on existing emission standards to remove these obstacles to free movement or, failing that, to establish mutual recognition of the national systems which are already in place?
Submitted: 20.3.2023