Almost four years after it came into force, many Barcelona residents continue to distrust the low-emission zone (ZBE), according to a RACC survey. Only a little more than half of those interviewed - 51% - agree with its implementation, while 35% are against it. If you ask how it is applied, 39% think that it is bad, since they value it below 5 out of 10. The grade that the measure gets is a 4.6, probably because a large number of dissenters have given it a zero , which lowers the final result. In any case, a suspense; yes, close to approved. 45% give it between a 5 and a 7 and those who rate it better – between an 8 and a 10 – account for only 16%. All these data show a great disparity of perceptions and opinions and a notable questioning of this controversial regulation that limits the circulation of the most polluting vehicles with the aim of improving air quality.
The survey, carried out in collaboration with the insurance company Zurich, analyzes the impact of the ZBE and its acceptance by users. It was based on 1,006 online surveys divided in two equal parts between residents of Barcelona and its metropolitan area. Those who live in the city value the measure a little better (4.9 out of 10) than those in the surrounding municipalities (4.3). And as for whether it should have been implemented or not, the supporters assume a greater percentage in the capital (57%) than in the surrounding towns (45%).
"The management of the low-emissions area needs to improve and has the potential to do so," Cristian Bardají, director of the RACC's mobility area, highlighted yesterday in the presentation of the report. These improvements, in his opinion, must be made in several directions. The measure, he detailed, "must be easier to understand and more harmonious in the territory (which should be applied equally in nearby municipalities); this is very important for social acceptance and the achievement of objectives". In addition, he added, "we need to build the alternative, with more and better public transport, but also bike lanes and electric charging points". And, finally, "if we want to speed up the change, to renew the fleet, the necessary incentives must be put in place to change vehicles for less polluting ones". The mobility club also recommends, among other actions, to facilitate the registration of authorized vehicles with a mobile application, to make more known the aid for the withdrawal of polluting vehicles, such as the T-Verda, to deploy compensatory measures for those affected by restrictions (bonuses on public transport, on the public bike...) or promoting incentives to companies so that their workers bet on sustainable mobility.
The survey details that a large majority of Barcelona residents do not understand the ZBE (when and where it applies, who it affects...). Nine out of ten consider it difficult or very difficult to understand. Only 9% is simple. The large number of exceptions to the regulation and the changes that have been made recently by court order contribute to this complexity perceived by users.
One of the relevant aspects of the survey is that 75% of respondents state that their mobility habits have not changed following the entry into force of the ZBE. Therefore, 25% have indeed modified them. This percentage is slightly lower in the city of Barcelona (23%) and higher in the metropolitan area (26%). However, the modal split remains practically the same as four years ago. Active means (on foot, by bicycle or personal mobility vehicle) continue to represent 18% of the total, with slight variations between these three ways of moving. Public transport has gone from 41.7% to 43.3%, with very slight increases in buses and the metro and a stagnation in the train and tram. The private vehicle has lost some weight, falling to 38.7% from 40.3%, more cars than motorbikes.
10.5% of car users before the implementation of the ZBE have left this vehicle. 82% of this group have switched to public transport, 12% to motorbikes and 6% to active ways. At the same time, 2.5% of respondents who did not drive before now do use one. 64% come from public transport, 24% from active modes and 12% from motorbikes.
The ZBE has removed a remarkable amount of cars without a label – the most polluting – which are equivalent to 600,000 annual journeys, according to data from Barcelona City Council. Banning these vehicles has meant that 16% of respondents have changed theirs for a cleaner one. Only 4% have purchased one with a 0 label (pure electrics, plug-in hybrids with a range of 40 kilometers or those with a fuel cell). 7% bought one with a B (yellow) label, although these could be the next to be banned. 48% have opted for cars with the Eco label (the rest are hybrids and gas ones). 41% owned vehicles with a C (green) badge, which includes gasoline and diesel vehicles with the most modern certifications. As a general assessment, there is a division of opinion on whether the measure has contributed to the renewal of the park. 42% of respondents think so, the same percentage who say no. 16% do not pronounce.
The measure has not had a notable impact on traffic volumes, which according to municipal figures have recovered after the pandemic brake and have reached the stable levels of previous years. For half of the respondents, it has not alleviated the congestion that the city suffers from. 33%, on the other hand, believe that they have.
The improvement of air quality, which is the objective of the ZBE, is also an aspect with very diverse perceptions and opinions. 68% of those interviewed consider that the current conditions are, to one degree or another, harmful to health. But only 37% believe that this measure contributes to reducing air pollution. One more point – 38% – say the opposite, that the ZBE does not help to improve air quality. 25% are not clear on this matter.
He also asks about another restrictive traffic measure, the urban toll, which has been applied in several European cities for years. 68% of the responses are against its implementation in the Barcelona area. Only 21% are favorable (25% of those in the city of Barcelona and 18% of those in the metropolitan area).
