The first low-emission zone is expected to be implemented at the end of this year
The ordinance has been uploaded on the website of the Sofia Municipality for public consultations for one month until July 16. All interested parties can submit their proposals on this regulation. Within INNOAIR, a study and testing of the Low emission zone model in terms of transport were carried out, which - together with on-demand transport and the other innovations - will contribute to improving air quality.
The low-emission zones follow their course in time after the technical inspections have been carried out in a new way for a whole year. This change was necessary in order for Sofia Municipality to start introducing low-emission zones in terms of transport.
The low-emission zones in both directions will be organized in stages, a transitional period until 2025 is envisaged. With regard to transport, the draft ordinance proposes two zones for low emissions - large and small ring. The small ring is the square closed between Slivnitsa, Opalchenska, Patriarch Evtimiy and Vasil Levski boulevards. The big ring starts again from Slivnitsa, but passes through Petko Todorov, said the deputy chairman of the Ecology Commission to the Sofia Municipal Council.
The principle of operation is the same as for speeding. Violators are photographed and receive the appropriate sanctions established by law.
As of December 1 this year, a ban is introduced on the passage of cars that are in the first ecological group. These are cars without an eco standard for three months. From 2025, the passage of cars from the second ecological group is prohibited, and from 2028 - the third. For the big ring, the bans start in 2025.
Regardless of the two rings, the cars of the people living in them will be able to pass, as well as the cars of the people with disabilities. These exceptions also include cars with a special mode of operation, as well as cars on public transport.
