Vehicles and many means of transport produce large quantities of toxins in the atmosphere that affect air quality and climate change. To solve these problems, in 2016 the DGT created stickers that indicate whether vehicles are more or less polluting.

WHAT ARE THEY? HOW MANY STICKERS ARE THERE?

There are four environmental labels that were created in the National Plan for Air Quality and Atmospheric Protection 2013-2016 (Air Plan) which states that both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are mainly emitted by road traffic in large cities and proposes the classification of vehicles according to the levels of pollution they emit. What is the purpose of these labels? To positively differentiate the most environmentally friendly vehicles.

Which car corresponds to which label?

  • Blue, zero emissions: identifies the least polluting or most environmentally friendly vehicles such as electric and plug-in hybrids. Drivers with this type of vehicle have total freedom of movement in cities, with no access restrictions and in some cases you can even park for free.
  • Green and blue, eco label: this category is for plug-in hybrids with a range of less than 40 km, non-plug-in hybrid vehicles (HEV), those using natural gas (CNG and LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Although these vehicles are considered clean, they may be affected by access and parking restrictions in cities during high pollution episodes depending on the scenario, but only in very exceptional cases.
  • Green, sticker C: corresponds to Euro 4, 5 and 6 petrol cars and Euro 6 diesel cars. Vehicles with this sticker, depending on the scenario (e.g. in the event of an alert situation), will be banned from driving and parking throughout the municipality. The restrictions are less permissive than in the previous categories.
  • Yellow, sticker B: these are the most polluting This category includes petrol cars and light vans registered from January 2000 and diesel cars from January 2006. Vehicles with more than 8 seats and goods vehicles, both petrol and diesel, registered from 2005 onwards. These are the ones that will encounter the most problems in terms of traffic and parking.

This sticker is affixed to the lower right-hand corner of the front windscreen on the inside, if available, or, failing that, anywhere visible on the vehicle. Failure to wear it can in some cases lead to fines. For example, in Madrid, since 8 October 2018, a new anti-pollution protocol has been in force, which means that not having this badge can lead to fines. And… How can you get them? New cars are given the environmental sticker directly at the time of purchase, but you can also buy them at the post office by presenting the vehicle’s registration certificate and paying a fee, or online from the website of the DGT.