Alcalá de Henares Implements an Innovative Vehicle Restriction System to Combat Pollution

A dynamic approach to air quality

The city of Alcalá de Henares is preparing to take a significant step in the fight against air pollution with the implementation of its Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which will come into effect from January 2026. This system, designed under the framework of Law 7/2021 on Climate Change and Energy Transition, aims to improve air quality in a city that, like many others in Spain, faces environmental challenges.

Unlike other locations that have opted for permanent restrictions, Alcalá has decided to adopt a more flexible and adaptive approach. The LEZ will be activated depending on the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measured in real-time. When these levels are below 180 micrograms per cubic metre, all vehicles will be able to circulate without restrictions, regardless of the type of environmental label they possess.

The system includes several phases that will be activated as pollutant levels increase:

• Phase 1: No restrictions when NO2 is below 180 μg/m³.
• Phase 2: With levels between 180 and 200 μg/m³ for two consecutive hours, access will be prohibited for vehicles without a label. Vehicles with a B label will be allowed to circulate but not park in blue zones; while those with C, ECO, and ZERO labels will have total freedom.
• Phase 3: If levels remain between 180 and 200 μg/m³ for two hours, neither vehicles without a label nor those labelled as B will be allowed to access the LEZ. Only ECO and ZERO cars will be able to circulate freely.

As conditions worsen, if levels exceed 400 micrograms per cubic metre, Phase 4 will come into play. In this critical stage, only electric vehicles (ZERO) would have free access to the LEZ.

Despite the rigorous design of the system, local authorities have indicated that it is unlikely that the more restrictive phases will be activated. Since 2015, Alcalá has not recorded NO2 levels high enough to trigger these severe measures. This suggests a successful commitment to continuous improvement in air quality.

With this innovative approach to vehicle emissions, Alcalá de Henares could become a model for other Spanish cities facing the same environmental dilemma. The combination of technology and public policies could be key to achieving a more sustainable and healthy future for its inhabitants.