Spain's first emissions radar to fine polluting cars up to €3,000
Spain's first emissions radar has appeared in Madrid: fines of up to 3,000 euros for the most polluting cars. Environmental control or revenue raising?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Spain's first emissions radar will fine drivers up to 3,000 euros
A white van parked on a busy street in Madrid goes unnoticed by almost everyone. It has no markings. But it is the first emissions measuring device operating in Spain, located by OKGREEN, and its mission is to keep an eye on the most polluting cars.
OPUS RSE technology measures each vehicle's pollution in real time without having to stop traffic. A new UNE standard gives authorities the legal basis to sanction the biggest emitters with fines of up to 3,000 euros. In theory, the justification is public health. In practice, it is the debut of a system that could spread to other cities.
Cutting-edge technology for raising revenue
What stands out is that Madrid is innovating precisely on the road that brings in money. No similar advances are seen when it comes to automating procedures or cutting red tape. The irony soon spread: while diesel cars are being fined, the expansion of Barajas airport is being pushed forward so planes can keep burning fuel without a hitch. Some analyses compare the new gadget to Orwell's novel; others, to a flatulence meter.
The question hanging in the air is whether this is about the environment or about collecting money. The radar is a white van that looks harmless. Until the notice arrives at your home.
A white van parked on a busy street in Madrid goes unnoticed by almost everyone. It has no markings. But it is the first emissions measuring device operating in Spain, located by OKGREEN, and its mission is to keep an eye on the most polluting cars.
OPUS RSE technology measures each vehicle's pollution in real time without having to stop traffic. A new UNE standard gives authorities the legal basis to sanction the biggest emitters with fines of up to 3,000 euros. In theory, the justification is public health. In practice, it is the debut of a system that could spread to other cities.
Cutting-edge technology for raising revenue
What stands out is that Madrid is innovating precisely on the road that brings in money. No similar advances are seen when it comes to automating procedures or cutting red tape. The irony soon spread: while diesel cars are being fined, the expansion of Barajas airport is being pushed forward so planes can keep burning fuel without a hitch. Some analyses compare the new gadget to Orwell's novel; others, to a flatulence meter.
The question hanging in the air is whether this is about the environment or about collecting money. The radar is a white van that looks harmless. Until the notice arrives at your home.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (40 replies).
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