Climate legislation approved in 2021 in Spain requires all municipalities with populations over 50,000 to establish low emission zones (LEZs) that limit the circulation of polluting vehicles. Implemented in 2023, the measure aims to raise the environmental quality of urban areas. LEZs form an element of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, guiding how cities manage traffic and air quality.
To understand how this new reality will impact the logistics and distribution sector and what companies can do to adapt, a recent digital gathering organized by INFORMACIÓN TV brought together several experts. The participants included Manuel Villar, Environmental Councilor of Alicante City Council; Armando Ortuño, professor of Region, Transport and Environment at the University of Alicante; Adela Torres, Mercadona’s Head of Environment, and Juan José Hernández, President of Fetrama. The discussion was moderated by Toni Cabot, Director of the Information Club, and focused on how municipalities, especially Alicante, can comply with the regulation and what changes lie ahead for urban areas.
Beyond reducing emissions
The session opened with the LEZ targets, highlighting a broad aim that centers on cutting harmful emissions and making cities healthier places to live. The participants emphasized that the goal goes beyond air quality to reduce noise pollution, mitigate climate change, promote ecological transition, and improve energy efficiency in vehicle use. In Alicante, while coastal dynamics help offset some pollution, attention remains on noise, traffic, and the distribution of urban space. The new law is seen as a catalyst that enables municipalities to act more swiftly to protect the environment.
The discussion stressed that the regulation is intended not only to improve air quality but to support urban vitality through smarter mobility. This includes better use of space, quieter streets, and cleaner energy in city transport. Experts agreed that the law is a crucial step for municipalities seeking faster environmental action and better governance of urban mobility.
LEZs and transportation
Concerning LEZs, Manuel Villar noted that some sectors, including transportation and trade, may face inconveniences, particularly around loading and unloading. Yet the core idea remains: leverage the investment to elevate mobility quality in Alicante and provide greater convenience for residents and businesses alike.
Adela Torres from Mercadona’s sustainability team added that the logistics sector must gain straightforward access to distribution hubs and to customer homes. While challenges exist, mechanisms can help maintain food supply with reduced emissions and lower traffic pressure. Mercadona emphasizes efficiency, aiming to transport more with fewer trucks and to minimize empty trips while applying reverse logistics to reuse and recycle materials. Temperature control for perishable items remains a key consideration in urban distribution.
How will it affect the industry?
The forum also explored potential industry impacts, especially on procurement and home services. The president of Fetrama expressed readiness to see how the LEZ will influence operations, noting that the specific vehicle eligibility for urban circulation had yet to be defined. Logistics providers are actively engaging with vehicle manufacturers to adopt technologies that cut greenhouse gas emissions. Electric city delivery vehicles are already on offer, and fleet modernization is viewed as a path toward more sustainable logistics. However, market readiness and supply chain constraints remain important considerations.
Adela Torres highlighted the rapid modernization of the distribution sector, citing Mercadona fleets renewed every three years to stay aligned with new technologies. She explained two main fronts for adoption of LEZs: the in-store distribution model and home delivery for food. Temperature requirements for products, operational deadlines for markets to adapt, and the overall challenge of urban goods distribution were underscored, with an emphasis on gradually integrating these solutions to avoid disruption.
Alicante City Council has established a public inquiry channel for questions and suggestions about LEZs to support transparent communication and informed participation.
Positive impact and challenges
Armando Ortuño explained how these restrictions should align with city service continuity and supply needs. He argued that limiting private vehicles should go hand in hand with better public transport so residents can embrace new mobility solutions. He also mentioned electric scooters as a viable urban option when supported by a well-developed network. A key inter-city challenge mentioned was tolling strategies that charge higher rates to more polluting vehicles, encouraging a fairer, climate-conscious system.
Alicante’s Environmental Council member stressed that the Madrid Central approach should not be taken as a model for Alicante. The city intends to avoid overbearing restrictions while applying clear deadlines in 2023 to refine conditions and ensure LEZs support citizens’ quality of life. The objective is to balance environmental goals with practical impact on activities and businesses.
Villar closed with the view that LEZs should be seen as a chance to boost urban mobility and to reimagine the city. He suggested that the regulatory framework could attract European support to enhance public transport, improve accessibility, and connect parks and leisure areas to the city center. Pedestrian zones and a shift toward electric buses were highlighted among potential outcomes.
It should be noted that the Alicante City Council has established a public channel for inquiries about LEZs to support citizen engagement and feedback.
Sustainable measures are beneficial for logistics
Adela Torres, Mercadona’s Environment Lead, emphasized that ensuring the steady supply of goods and food in cities requires delivering sustainability in service. The company described a model of urban distribution that prioritizes efficiency: routes planned to minimize empty trips, reverse logistics to reclaim recyclable materials, and the use of larger, more efficient trailers to reduce the number of trips. A focus on keeping trucks out of city centers for the longest possible periods helps cut emissions and traffic. The organization is also moving toward Zero Emission options as they become viable and is continually updating the fleet with the latest technology and sustainability innovations, ensuring no vehicle is older than three years.
notifications
Our obligation is to ensure LEZs support the quality of life for residents and businesses.
View this measure as an opportunity to improve urban mobility and to navigate the city more efficiently.
We anticipate how LEZs will influence operations, as the specific vehicle eligibility remains to be defined.
Manufacturers already offer capable electric city delivery options, but further progress is needed for widespread adoption.
Mercadona relies on mechanisms to ensure steady food supply with reduced emissions and traffic concerns. The company aims to transport more with fewer trucks, avoid empty trips, and apply reverse logistics.
The new law has empowered municipalities to move faster on environmental goals.
Private vehicle restrictions should be complemented by better public transport so residents can adapt smoothly.