Ruben Fidalgo
January 12, 2023
If you live in a city of more than 50,000 inhabitants and the activation of the Low Emission Zones required by Europe since January 1 affects you, with these five models you will be able to move without problems.
The activation of low emission zones in cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants is already a reality and, although for now in Spain many are lazy because in just two months there will be municipal elections, it is an obligation imposed by Europe and sooner rather than later the cards will be turned face up and they will begin to fine us for accessing them with cars that do not have an Eco or Zero label.
Although you will see many publications in which they invite you to buy a car over 30 years old and register it as historic to bypass this law, this is far from the spirit of what a historic car should be and, furthermore, its maintenance costs if we decide use them as daily cars and even more so in cities, it is likely that they will skyrocket. Classic cars in general suffer a lot in the city and it is likely that we will begin to have to make expensive repairs such as changing the clutch, head gaskets due to cooling problems in traffic jams, high fuel consumption in urban use, alternators…
In Spain, the DGT has decided to award the labels based on the technology that the vehicle equips, not based on its actual CO2 emissions, which is why you have high-end cars with an Eco label and even Zero that actually emit much more CO2 than a humble Panda with 25 years, so to find a car with an Eco label we only have two alternatives:
- hybrids: cars that combine the work of a combustion engine with an electric one to move.
- LPG or CNG: bifuel vehicles that use gasoline and LPG or CNG and meet at least the Euro4 standard are also considered Eco.
Switch your car to LPG to make it Eco
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For a price ranging from 1,800 to 2,000 eurosif you have a gasoline car that complies with the Euro4 standard or higher (Euro4 came into force in January 2005, but there are previous models that already complied with this emission standard), you can convert it to LPG and request that its environmental label be reviewed so that you can be awarded the Eco. Without a doubt, it is the most economical way. of being able to have a car with an Eco label, if you are happy with your car and it is still in good condition, it is a highly recommended alternative. Of course, do not do the milkmaid’s accounts with the price of fuel because LPG is tax subsidizedbut this is likely to run out soon and the price will end up at the level of gasoline.
CNG models also have this possibility, but the reality is that the CNG supply network in Spain is Third World and there are few cities where we can have a gas station close at hand where we can recharge the car’s gas tank, while with LPG we can do it practically in any city.
5 second-hand cars with an Eco label that are a good option
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With new cars absolutely insane in terms of price, the used market is a booming alternative and, although its prices have also gone up, it is the best way to get an Eco label car at a more affordable price. As we saw before, there are basically two types of cars with an Eco label: hybrids and LPG or CNG. Due to the greater ease of refueling and less technical complication of the vehicle, LPG is more recommended, so we have focused on hybrid-electric and LPG models and these are our candidates.
First generation of the Toyota Auris HSD, from 5,000 euros
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The first generation of the Toyota Auris HSD hit the market 10 years ago and there are units on the used market for prices around 5,000 euros. Due to age and kilometers, it is convenient to make sure of the state of the batteries before closing the purchase. They are extremely reliable cars, practically their only weak point is the batteries. A proof and certificate of its condition and capacity is a priority when closing the operation.
It is a car with good consumption, a comfortable interior and good materials.
Curiously, the Yaris HSD is more expensive than the Auris on the used market, in which small cars retain very high residual values compared to their price when they were new. This makes them less interesting as a second-hand purchase and more expensive than higher models.
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Second generation of the Toyota Auris HSD: from 7,000 euros
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If we raise the bar a little more we can begin to find in search engines such as Autocasión units of the second generation of the hybrid Toyota Auris starting at even 5,500 euros, but they are usually units with many kilometers and in which it is not very well known. the state of the batteries. The most interesting units begin to be rather in the environment of 6,500 and 7,000 euros. As in the previous case, a certificate on the condition and useful capacity of the batteries is essential.
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Fiat Type LPG from 7,000 euros
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With less years and usually also fewer kilometers than previous Auris we can find the Fiat Tipo in its bifuel gasoline and LPG versions. There are units starting at 7,000 euros with few kilometers and it is a very reasonable model for habitability, equipment and versatility. Its 1.4 turbo gasoline and LPG engine produces 120 CV and its benefits are correct.
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Dacia Sandero 0.9 LPG: from 8,000 euros
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Dacia is one of the brands that most opted for LPG and has versions with this engine in all its models: Sandero, Logan, Duster and Lodgy. Their prices are around 8,000 euros, although we can find some Lodgy for even 5,000 euros, but with enough kilometers already behind them.
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Opel Astra 1.4T LPG: from 10,000 euros
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The Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo LPG can be found from 10,000 euros. Its gasoline and LPG engine produces 140 CV, with a good level of performance, it is a highly recommended car for its comfort, habitability and price/product ratio.
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