In fresh months, the subject restrictions on older vehicles In Poland, there are many emotions. Planned changes in regulations can affect the regular lives of millions of drivers. The following are the most crucial information on the upcoming regulations and their possible impact on older car owners.
Clean Transport Zones (SCT) in Polish cities
Since 1 January 2025 in Poland are introduced Clean Transport Zones in cities above 100,000 inhabitants, where nitrogen dioxide (NO2) standards were exceeded. The nonsubjective of these zones is to reduce exhaust emissions by prohibiting entry for vehicles not complying with circumstantial emanation standards. For example, in Warsaw the region covers Śródmieście and adjacent districts specified as Wola, Ochota, Saska Kępa, Grochów and Prague. Since July 2024, the entry ban applies to petrol vehicles not complying with Euro 2 (older than 27 years) and diesels not complying with Euro 4 (older than 18 years). all 2 years the requirements will be tightened, meaning that newer vehicles may be subject to restrictions.
Kraków as a pioneer of the introduction of SCT
Kraków besides plans to introduce SCT. According to the published draft resolution, restrictions on older cars are to apply from 1 July 2025. However, the inhabitants of Krakow will not be covered by these restrictions until 2030. For drivers outside the city it is possible to enter older vehicles after paying a fee of PLN 20 per day.
European Union proposals for older vehicles
In the public space, information has been published about the European Union's plans to ban the repair of cars older than 15 years, which would consequence in the request to scrap them. However, the analysis shows that specified reports may be exaggerated or inaccurate. Currently, there are no circumstantial EU government introducing specified a ban. Nevertheless, discussions on tightening emanation standards and decommissioning of the most polluting vehicles are being conducted in Europe.
Impact on Polish drivers
The introduction of the SCT and possible future regulations concerning older vehicles can importantly affect Polish drivers. In Poland, the average car age is about 13 years, which means that many vehicles may not meet fresh emanation standards. For many people, having a newer car can be financially unattainable, giving emergence to concerns about transport exclusion. In addition, around 1 million utilized cars are expected to be imported in 2025, frequently in respective years, which further complicates the situation.
Possible solutions and support for older car owners
Different forms of support for older vehicle owners are being considered to mitigate the effects of the regulations. These may be aid schemes for the acquisition of newer, greener cars, taxation credits or preferential credits. It is besides crucial to invest in the improvement of public transport and bicycle infrastructure in order to supply alternate means of transport for those who choose to quit their own car.
The regulations planned in Poland and at European Union level concerning restrictions on older vehicles aim at improving air quality and protecting the environment. However, their implementation may be a challenge for millions of Polish drivers with older cars. It will be crucial to put in place adequate support mechanisms and to adapt transport infrastructure so that these changes are least burdensome for the public.
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Prohibition of old cars: Will millions of Poles be without cars
