Milano

The Ecopass

By implementing The Ecopass the aim is to reduce air pollution by the principle: the polluter pays.

Ecopass is made by the City of Milano as trial program and is a part of the overall plans regarding sustainable mobility, environment and health for citizens.

The program was launched January 1. 2008, and was to last for a year, but is now prolonged to last until the end of 2009.

The polluter pays

The program corresponds to a variation of pricing schemes and vehicles with high-polluting engines entering the ZTL are charged, and the ones with older most polluting engines are even banned at certain times of the year. Environmental friendly vehicles e.g. electric or hybrid is free of charge.

The amount of the charge depends on the vehicle's engine emissions standard and fees vary from € 2 to €10 on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Technology

The Ecopass fee can be paid before entering the ZTL or up to midnight the next day after entering. There are daily and multiple-day passes. Payment of the fee can be made via internet, by telephone, in designated banks or by direct debit to the user's bank account, by first an Ecopass card must be issue at designated places.

Enforcement is carried out through cameras recognizing the number plate on the vehicles. The cameras are located at 43 electronic gates on the road network.