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Spain’s Low-Emission Zone Rollout Lags as Toledo Finalizes Casco Plan and Castelldefels Approves Resident Fine Moratorium

Roughly a third of the 149 mandated cities have progressed despite a lapsed 18‑month implementation window.

Overview

  • Only 55 of 149 required municipalities have implemented, announced or trialed low‑emission zones, according to data compiled from a RACE report.
  • Funding and administrative hurdles persist, with the Moves III program reactivated in April yet some regions slow to publish calls and others already out of funds.
  • Toledo’s local government gave final approval to a historic‑center zone, kept the scope to the Casco, and added exceptions for trips to workshops, PMR access and a resident exemption, with an ordinance now moving to consultation.
  • Castelldefels passed a center‑city zone starting January 1, 2026, with weekday hours and €200 fines, but residents will not be fined until 2030, a stance that departs from AMB guidance and has drawn legal doubts from opposition parties.
  • Vigo plans an initial approval of a 67‑hectare, four‑zone scheme and its mayor says enforcement will prioritize consensus over penalties, with project funding largely covered by EU‑linked funds.