Milan bans diesel cars. From 21 January 2019, diesel vehicles will no longer be able to circulate within the city limits. In just over six months, the first cameras of the Low emission zones (lez). Going beyond them, for those who own a polluting car, will mean receiving a fine of 80 euros.
Be careful though, the new rules will enter into force progressively. We will start from Euro 0, 1, 2 and 3 diesel vehicles to then arrive, in October 2019, at Euro 4 diesels. From 2024, also stop at Euro 5.
The news was announced by the mayor Beppe Sala during the Energy Festival, an occasion during which the mayor of Milan also met with the mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi: "It will be a delicate transition, but we think it is time to do it,” Sala said. The resolution should arrive in the classroom in July. Rome has planned a ban on diesel from 2024, other European capitals are taking action after the Leipzig ruling in February 2018 that set the standard, authorizing German local authorities to intervene autonomously from the central government on pollution.
STOP THE DIESEL: HOW IT WILL WORK
As mentioned, in Milan from Monday 21 January 2019 diesel vehicles will no longer be able to enter the so-called Lez. The ban will be in effect from Monday to Friday, from early morning until late evening. The city limits will be surrounded by 180 cameras which will control access.
However, the cameras will be turned on little by little, in order to give motorists time to get used to and to incorporate the news that will be communicated through a massive information campaign which will be launched soon. We will start with 12 cameras and gradually turn on the others as well. Once fully operational, Palazzo Marino plans to install 180 cameras which will cover 70% of Milan and 98% of the resident population. Obviously, motorists will be warned of the existence of the "gaps" via horizontal and vertical signs.
MILAN, STOP DIESEL: FINES
But be careful, because even if the cameras are not operational, the fines will be imposed as of January 21, even if you pass through a gap that is not yet active. The amount of the sanction against whoever commits a violation is equal to 80 euros.
