Eco Label vs. Zero Emissions: Which One Interests You Most?

Zero emissions and Eco labels offer great advantages. There are, however, differences between the two that we will explain today.

Nowadays, having the Eco or Zero Emissions badge from the DGT brings a great many advantages, so many, in fact, that they can influence your purchase. Especially if you live in a large city, these labels will save you a lot of money and make getting around much easier.

The first thing you need to know is that not every car qualifies for one of the four badges: zero emissions (blue), Eco (blue and green), C (green) and B (yellow). The real benefits, however, come with the Zero Emissions and Eco badge.

Which vehicles qualify for each label

To obtain the highly sought-after Zero Emissions badge, you will need a 100% electric car or a plug-in hybrid. Non-plug-in hybrids carry the Eco label.

Cars that also feature the famous fuel cell would also fall into this category.

Our recommendation, however, is to opt for a plug-in hybrid, which offers the best of both worlds and also gives us the Zero Emissions badge.

Advantages of the Eco Label

It is important to note that the advantages of both the Zero Emissions and Eco badges will depend on the regulations established by each town council.

Starting with the advantages of the Eco label, vehicles that carry this badge are exempt from registration tax. They also benefit from a discount of up to 75% on the circulation tax in Madrid and Barcelona.

This tax applies during the first 6 years from the vehicle’s registration. In addition, these vehicles enjoy a 50% discount when parking in SER zones.

This percentage increases in certain areas of Spain, even reaching a 100% discount in some places, such as Alcobendas.

Another important advantage applies on days when traffic restrictions are imposed due to high-pollution episodes. Vehicles with the Eco label are not affected by any of these restrictions.

BUS VAO lanes will be accessible to these vehicles regardless of the number of passengers they carry.

Advantages of the Zero Emissions Label

Tax incentives, free parking with no time limit in both green and blue zones, or free access to Residential Priority Areas, are some of the advantages this label provides.

Of course, since it is a fully non-polluting vehicle, all the advantages mentioned above that apply to the Eco label are obviously included in the zero emissions one.

Moreover, governments are increasingly encouraging consumers to purchase this type of vehicle, so, at the time of purchase, buyers can enjoy generous discounts and options to make access easier.

One of the most notable differences compared with the Eco label is that owners of zero-emissions vehicles are exempt from paying for parking in SER zones. In other words, the parking meter becomes free in most autonomous communities for owners of fully non-polluting vehicles.

This label also allows free charging at more than 300 charging points in the Catalan capital. As if that were not enough, the city council grants a 75% discount on the annual mechanical traction tax.

Furthermore, in places such as Barcelona, toll motorways are free for this type of vehicle and, on many others throughout the country, they enjoy significant discounts.
Which one to choose?
At this point it seems clear that if we have enough money, the most logical option, especially if you live in a large city, is to purchase a

zero emissions

vehicle.

The greatest number of advantages lies with this type of transport, so it is logical to think it would be the wisest choice.

However, we must bear in mind that the technology surrounding zero-emission vehicles, especially when it comes to charging, is still rather “archaic“.

Charging a zero-emission electric car can become a major problem on various occasions and, on the other hand, there is range, which greatly limits long journeys.

For this reason, we believe that the balanced option offered by a plug-in hybrid, which carries a zero-emissions label, is the smartest choice for now. With it you can make long trips and enjoy all the advantages that the label provides.

That said, new regulations may come along that begin to apply the Eco label to this type of vehicle, so, to put it bluntly, “the good deal could end” before too long…