A low-emission zone (LEZ) in the Polish capital is set to launch on July 1, 2024.
Diesel cars over 18 years old and petrol cars over 27 years old will no longer be allowed in the city centre and some other designated municipal areas.
Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski told reporters on Wednesday: "We are sure this is the right way to launch a zone banning the entry of the most polluting vehicles.”
He said "the plan to reduce air pollution that affects our health will be in place from July 2024 to 2032."
Trzaskowski added that "the rules are the same for everyone, both for Warsaw residents and visitors," the PAP news agency reported.
According to research cited by PAP, the first LEZ stage, to be effective as of 2024, will affect only 2 percent of cars, with the number gradually rising over three consecutive stages, up to 74 percent in 2030.
Exemptions from the new regulations will include service vehicles such as garbage trucks and rescue vans, as well as privately owned vintage cars and those driven by disabled people.
Offenders will face a fine of PLN 500 (EUR 105), PAP reported.
According to a survey held by City Hall, one-third of residents said they would welcome a LEZ in the strict city centre only, while a quarter believed that the best option would be a zone covering the entire city.
Following in the footsteps of Kraków, Warsaw was the second Polish city to announce a plan to establish a LEZ.
Climate-activism group Kraków Smog Alert said the Kraków low-emission zone was the first LEZ to be established in Central and Eastern Europe.
(mo/gs)
Source: PAP