car news Electric

What is an environmental sticker?

An environmental sticker, also called an environmental vignette, is a visual indication on your windshield that shows how clean your car is. Environmental stickers apply in environmental zones, established in certain areas. The goal? To keep out polluting vehicles and thus improve air quality. You would think that as an electric driver, you wouldn’t need such a thing. After all, your car has no emissions while driving, right? But the practice is different.

Why you need an environmental sticker even with an electric car

Many European countries still visually check for environmental stickers. And because you can’t tell from the outside whether a car runs on gasoline, diesel or electricity, the sticker requirement applies to every car. So yes, you too need one, no matter how clean you drive.

Environmental sticker is also useful outside the city

Even if you don’t plan to drive into a city center, it’s smart to have a sticker. Suppose your route is unexpectedly diverted through an environmental zone? Then it’s nice to already have a valid sticker on your windshield. Avoid stress and fines: just stick it in advance.

Environmental stickers are mandatory in these countries

France: Crit’Air sticker

France already has more than 40 permanent environmental zones. These zones apply in cities as well as entire departments. The rules vary by region and can be temporarily tightened in the event of a smog alert. A French Crit’Air sticker is available online through this website. Order in time, because you can’t buy one at gas stations.

Spain: local stickers or European vignettes

Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba – many Spanish cities have environmental zones. The rules are similar to France, but may vary from city to city. In some cases, a foreign sticker (such as the French or German one) is also accepted. Still, it remains wise to check in advance for each destination.

Germany: Umweltzone and the E-Plakette

In Germany, environmental zones (Umweltzonen) are standard in many cities. Without a sticker, you are not allowed to enter such a zone, even if you drive electric. Order your sticker at least 14 days before departure via this website, because even a delay in delivery does not exempt you from fines. In addition, as an EV driver you can apply for a blue E-Plakette. This entitles you to benefits such as free parking in some cities. Please note that the E-Plakette does not replace the regular environmental sticker.

Italy: no sticker, but strict ZTL zones

In Italy, environmental zones are usually ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) zones that you simply cannot drive in without a permit. Stickers do not exist here; access works on the basis of license plate recognition. Sometimes you can buy a day pass as a tourist (as in Milan or Palermo), but in many other cities this is not possible. So check carefully in advance.

Where do you put the sticker?

Stick the environmental sticker on the inside of the windshield, bottom right (viewed from the driver). Is the sticker illegible, stuck the wrong way or missing altogether? Then you risk a fine, even if your car is fully electric.

How and where do you order an environmental sticker?

Always order your environmental sticker through an official website of the government of the country you are traveling to, or through the ANWB, for example. This way you can be sure of its validity and pay the right price. Avoid commercial websites, which often charge a multiple. You usually need your registration certificate when applying for a sticker, so keep it handy.

Practical tools: how to avoid surprises

Use apps like Green-Zones or a route planner like the one from the ANWB to preview your vacation trip. These will indicate if your route passes through an environmental zone. Also handy: some cars indicate via their navigation when you are approaching a zone where you are required to display a sticker.

Summary

Yes, even with an electric car you need an environmental sticker to enter environmental zones in many European countries. Not because of your emissions, but because the rules are universal and visually enforced. Check carefully in advance which rules apply in your vacation country. Order your sticker on time via the official websites and stick it in the right place. This way you can avoid hassle and fines en route.

Have a good trip!