Plovdiv introduces low emission zone in city center

Plovdiv Municipality is introducing a low emission zone in the city center to combat air pollution. The restriction, referred to as the ‘Small Ring’, will be in effect from October 1 through April 30.

The zone is bounded by Tsar Boris III Obedinitel, Shesti Septemvri, Russki, and Hristo Botev boulevards. The ban targets vehicles in the first and second ecological groups, specifically diesel cars manufactured before 2007 and gasoline cars manufactured before 1998. Residents and tenants living within the zone are exempt from these restrictions, provided they submit the necessary documentation to the ‘Parking and Repatriation’ enterprise.

Due to an appeal regarding the public procurement for electronic monitoring systems, enforcement will not initially rely on cameras. Instead, compliance will be monitored by employees of the municipal enterprise ‘Parking and Repatriation’. Violators will be notified via telephone or signage and may face fines under the Clean Air Act. The measure has faced public criticism due to the high percentage of older vehicles in the local car fleet.