Estepona is first place on the Costa del Sol to introduce a Low Emission Zone

Estepona has taken a groundbreaking step towards a greener and more sustainable future by becoming the first municipality in the Costa del Sol to establish a Low Emission Zone (Zona de Bajas Emisiones or ZBE) for vehicles.

The new regulation, officially published in Spain's BOE (Official State Gazette), seeks to promote environmentally friendly transportation alternatives and reduce the presence of highly polluting vehicles in the town centre. The comprehensive plan will be rolled out in three distinct phases, with phase 1 in place before the end of this year.

The first phase will impose restrictions on access to the town centre for all vehicles without an environmental sticker. Specifically, access will be denied between the hours of 8am and 9pm.

By the start of next year, the restrictions will intensify, as only vehicles displaying a Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) B sticker will be permitted within the specified time frame. In the final phase, set for 2025, the regulations will encompass vehicles bearing a DGT C sticker.

Spanning an extensive area of 600,000 square metres, the Low Emission Zone will encompass the majority of Estepona's historic centre. This zone will be delimited by prominent landmarks, including Avenida Andalucía, Tajo and Pilar de Farinós streets, Avenida de San Lorenzo, and the picturesque seafront.

Estepona's municipal authorities have assured residents that circulation within the ZBE will remain unaffected via Avenida Andalucía and Avenida San Lorenzo, thereby ensuring mobility within the municipality without the constraints of the Low Emission Zone.

Several exemptions are in place to facilitate the transition for residents and businesses. Vehicles registered in Estepona, vehicles engaged in loading and unloading activities, those accessing public car parks, and those destined for hotels will be exempt from the restrictions.

This initiative reflects Estepona's commitment to environmental sustainability, aligning with European regulations that mandate traffic restriction measures for highly polluting vehicles in municipalities with populations exceeding 50,000 residents.

As Estepona leads the way in adopting these eco-conscious policies, other Costa del Sol towns may follow suit in their pursuit of a cleaner and healthier environment.