Cities might create low-emission zones next fall

Prague, Sept 17 (CTK) - Czech municipalities may introduce a low-emission zone on their area as from October 2013 based on a government decree proposed by the Environment Ministry, its head Tomas Chalupa told journalists yesterday.

Chalupa will submit the draft decree to the government next month.

The low-emission stamps will be similar to motorway stamps and they would cost 80 crowns. The stamp would define into which emission category a given vehicle falls.

Most vehicles registered before 1997 would not be able to get the stamp and enter a low-emission zone.

Chalupa said the towns and municipalities would decide on the introduction of a low-emission zone because they themselves know the local conditions the best.

He said the decree would take effect only in autumn 2013 to give both municipalities and drivers enough time to prepare for the change.

Low-emission zones may be set up in spa towns or highly polluted areas if vehicles have a possibility to bypass them using quality roads.

A special working group has been discussing the possible declaration of low-emission zones in Prague.

The spa town of Klimkovice, near the Ostrava industrial city in northern Moravia, has already shown interest in introducing the zone.

Following the example of Germany, Czech lawmakers included low-emission zones in an amendment to the law on the air. The government decree would specify the rules set by law.

($1=18.659 crowns)