City administrators plan to progressively limit the entry of heavily-polluting vehicles within Bucharest
Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is set to establish a Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) over the next two years, with the aim of reducing high-emission vehicles and improving air quality. The financing for this project comes from the EU-backed National Recovery and Resilience Plan, or PNRR, and a loan via InvestEU.
Two years ago, the Romanian Parliament obligated the cities of Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara to establish Low-Emission Zones, with approximately 220 million euros planned from EU funds and an InvestEU loan for implementing Bucharest's Low-Emission Zone. The Parliament had previously adopted a draft law mandating low emission zones in Bucharest and 12 other major urban areas.
The LEZ in Bucharest initially aims for a 10% reduction in high-emission vehicles, removing 21,900 tons of CO2 emissions per year. However, medium-term goals raise this to a 20% reduction, resulting in 43,800 tons of CO2 reduction annually. Long-term plans target a 30% reduction, reducing CO2 emissions by 65,700 tons per year.
The implementation of the plan involves upgrading the air quality monitoring station network in the city, as well as the acquisition of automatic license plate recognition cameras at LEZ entry points. Surveillance cameras, street signs, and a public awareness campaign will also be used to support the LEZ.
Bucharest City Hall is planning to establish the low-emission zone across the entire metropolitan area. The plan developed by Bucharest City Hall, in collaboration with the EBRD, has a cost of EUR 15 million.
The aging vehicle fleet in Bucharest, with cars having an average age of 12.4 years and around 43.5% being diesel vehicles, remains a focus of the plan. Fines for non-compliant vehicles in the LEZ will be used to reduce transport poverty and support sustainable mobility.
The success of the LEZ is closely linked to a robust air quality monitoring system with more measuring stations. The implementation of the plan includes campaigns with precise deadlines to identify and address air pollution hotspots. Health cost reductions from cleaner air in LEZ areas could range between EUR 1.3 and 3.9 million per year.
The phasing out of vehicles will be based on fuel type (diesel, gasoline) and vehicle age, with stricter restrictions for diesel vehicles and older models. The plan is scheduled to take place over approximately two years.
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