France begins to eliminate the benefits of ZERO and ECO labels for electric and hybrid vehicles

One of the benefits associated with electric and hybrid vehicles, beyond what is implied in their technology, consumption and environmental impact, is the administrative bonuses that come with them and imply certain benefits for users. In Europe, these cars are marked with a special environmental label. so-called ZERO and ECO labelswhich allow, among other things, unlimited access to low emission areas and free parking in regulated areas.

Now some European countries are starting to eliminate some of these benefits. And the truth is that it was necessary for a long time because of the injustice hidden in them. Not so much the ZERO labels as the ECO labels, which allow plug-in hybrid cars that are really polluting, such as some supercars with over 500 CV, to enjoy benefits that, strictly speaking, they shouldn’t have.

Farewell to environmental benefits in Paris and Lyon

France was the first to take action, directly removing the free parking concessions enjoyed by electric And hybridsand especially within major cities with movement restrictions such as Paris.

Other cities such as Lyon have gone even further, and in addition to limiting the aforementioned benefit, a bill is currently being drafted to introduce a surcharge for parking old cars. heavy. Namely, one of the characteristics of many plug-in and electric hybrid SUVs.

Such regulations are now beginning to be applied in France, a country that is particularly committed to electric vehicles with many attendant benefits. In Spain, the DGT has not yet reviewed the status of the ZERO and ECO labels, but the truth is that in the case of plug-in hybrids, a more detailed review has been needed for some time now. Especially to the aforementioned sports. Plug-in SUVs with internal combustion engines that pollute the environment even more than basic utilities who are banned from driving in cities like Madrid.

Locally, in Spain, some municipalities such as Gijón have just announced that they are also saying goodbye to the eco-label, although in this case this applies not only to electric vehicles, but to all types of vehicles. Until now, the eco-label has been mandatory for parking and moving around the city.

Ultimately, however, DGT will have the final say, which has not yet announced whether Spain will also start reviewing the ZERO and ECO labels.