Madrid bans ICE cars in favour of EVs – starting next month

The Spanish capital of Madrid is implementing a plan that will see its central city streets rid of air polluting petrol and diesel-fueled cars from late next month.

The plan, known as “Madrid Central”, will see all cars and motorbikes that are not either all-electric or hybrid, or possessing a minimum environmental classification, banned from the city’s central streets during the day.

Exceptions will be made for residents, or visitors with a special permit, who may continue using their high emissions vehicles until they purchase a new car.

The ban also includes restrictions on parking cars on streets – residents must keep their old high emissions cars parked in a carpark.

Certain vehicles with higher emissions classifications will be allowed to access the central city area at night between 10pm and 7am, when public transport and general traffic has considerably subsided.

The ban starts as of November 30, 2018, according to the City of Madrid’s website, and is part of a concerted effort to reduce the busy European city’s air pollution, which has a history of “chronic non-compliance” of EU air quality standards.