ZBE in Seville: Everything you need to know about the traffic restricted zone (2023)
In Seville, a city steeped in history and culture, the past and present harmoniously intertwine. But amid the picturesque streets and historic landmarks, daily traffic congestion can be a challenge. Discover the areas in Seville where cars are restricted, and learn how to obtain the necessary permissions to navigate these captivating yet controlled zones.
Author: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. source
In an effort to combat air pollution and reduce harmful emissions in urban areas, many cities worldwide have implemented Low Emission Zones (LEZs). Seville, the picturesque capital of Spain's Andalusia region, is no exception. The Seville City Council introduced its LEZ, known as the Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), and it became operational on January 1, 2023. In this blog post, we'll explore the details of Seville's ZBE and what it means for drivers in the city.
Understanding Seville's ZBE
A ZBE, or Low Emissions Zone, is essentially a designated area within a city where the circulation of high-polluting vehicles is restricted. The primary objective of a ZBE is to reduce pollution and harmful emissions like CO2 and NOx, which are detrimental to both public health and the environment. To enforce these restrictions, a dedicated team is responsible for supervising vehicle access and ensuring that only authorized vehicles can enter the zone.
Identifying the ZBE in Seville
To ensure that drivers are aware of the ZBE and don't accidentally enter the restricted area, Seville City Council has installed numerous road signs. These signs, both horizontal and vertical, alert drivers to the proximity of a monitored area. To establish a consistent signage system across Europe, a new traffic sign was designed and approved. This sign clearly marks the boundary of the ZBE, alongside an indication of the permissible environmental labels.
ZBE Zones in Seville
Seville's ZBE is divided into two distinct zones, both located on the Isla de la Cartuja, with restrictions applying from Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
North Cartuja Zone: This area is defined by streets such as Américo Vespucio, Juan Bautista Muñoz, José de Gálvez, Matemáticos Rey Pastor y Castro, and Marie Curie, among others. These streets form the outer perimeter of the ZBE, and they are not included within the restricted zone.
South Cartuja Zone: This area is delimited by streets like Marie Curie, Camino de los Descubrimientos, Francisco de Montesinos, and Avenida de Carlos III. Similar to the North Cartuja Zone, the streets forming the outer perimeter are not part of the Low Emissions Zone.
Vehicle Access to the ZBE
Seville's ZBE enforces access based on environmental labels provided by the Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT). There are four possible labels:
0 Emissions Label: Includes pure electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and plug-in hybrids with a range of over 41 kilometers. These vehicles can freely enter the ZBE as they produce no polluting emissions.
ECO Label: Applied to hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids with less than 40 kilometers of electric range, LPG or CNG vehicles, and modern MHEV systems. ECO vehicles are generally allowed to enter the ZBE but may have specific limitations in the most restrictive cases.
Label B: Associated with older vehicles, including gasoline cars registered from January 2000 and diesel cars registered from 2006. Access for Label B vehicles is allowed under strict conditions defined by the city council.
Label C: Granted to gasoline cars registered from 2006 and diesel cars registered from 2014. Similar to Label B, Label C vehicles can only enter the ZBE under specific conditions defined by the city council.
During the active hours of Seville's ZBE, vehicles with environmental labels are allowed to circulate and park within the zone. However, the city council has made exceptions for certain vehicles that do not meet the regulations, including motorcycles, heavy vehicles, residents, users of private parking spaces, and more.
Special Authorizations and Parking
Residents and users of private parking spaces located within the ZBE have unrestricted access. Additionally, guests, schoolchildren pickups, and hotel clients within the area can request occasional authorization from the city council for personal matters. Each registration is allowed up to 10 accesses per month, with a maximum of 200 hours per year.
To facilitate mobility, Seville City Council has set up park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of the ZBE. These strategically located parking areas offer over 3,400 spaces and have direct connections to the city's public transport network.
ZBE Fines
Unauthorized access to the ZBE carries a fine of 200 euros, which can be reduced to 100 euros if paid promptly within 20 days of receiving the notification. Notably, these fines do not result in any loss of points on the driving license.
Seville's ZBE aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality, following the lead of other Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona. While the specific regulations may vary, the objective remains the same: to create a healthier and more sustainable urban environment. As the ZBEs gain traction across the country, it's essential for drivers to stay informed about the latest restrictions and adapt to these new measures. Seville, like other major Spanish cities, is committed to enforcing Low Emission Zones, with more restrictions expected to roll out before the end of 2023.
For the most up-to-date information about Seville's ZBE, it's advisable to refer to the official resources provided by the Seville City Council and relevant local authorities.
