A new system of environmental stickers has been launched in Tashkent, which classifies vehicles into three categories by color: "clean" (green), "average" (yellow), and "harmful" (red). Obtaining such stickers will become mandatory during registration and re-registration procedures for vehicles. The environmental class of the vehicle will be determined automatically, based on factory "Euro" standards or the results of a free diagnostic check. These stickers will play a key role in access to "clean" zones, the boundaries of which will be established by local councils in the near future. The issue of territorial zoning promises to spark much debate, as owners of vehicles with low environmental ratings may face complete restrictions on entering such areas or the necessity of paying a compensatory fee.
This initiative aligns with global trends and has been successfully implemented in major cities across Europe for over 30 years. A prominent example is London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which covers all of Greater London, an area of about 1,600 square kilometers, including Heathrow Airport. In London, the right to free passage is granted to petrol vehicles meeting Euro 4 standards and above (mostly those manufactured after 2005) and diesel vehicles meeting at least Euro 6 standards. Vehicles that do not meet environmental standards are required to pay a daily fee: £12.50 for cars and £100 for trucks and buses. Thus, the Tashkent initiative adapts international experience, laying the legal groundwork for improving air quality in the city through economic and administrative measures.
