Court strikes down Málaga's exemption for local vehicles from low-emission zone fines

A court has annulled a controversial decision by the city of Málaga that exempted vehicles registered within the city from fines related to its Low Emission Zone (ZBE). The ruling means that cars, motorcycles, and vans registered in the capital will no longer be exempt from penalties for entering restricted areas. Previously, the municipal ordinance had stipulated that only vehicles with external license plates would be fined for non-compliance with ZBE regulations. This distinction was challenged, and the court has now declared that part of the ordinance invalid. The decision aims to ensure equitable enforcement of environmental regulations, regardless of a vehicle's place of registration. The ZBE was implemented to improve air quality in the city center by limiting access for more polluting vehicles. Critics argued that the previous exemption for local vehicles was unfair and undermined the environmental goals of the ZBE. The court's intervention suggests that such exemptions may not be legally sound or consistent with the broader objectives of traffic and environmental management. This ruling could lead to a review of similar ordinances in other Spanish cities that might employ differential enforcement based on vehicle registration.