In Sweden, we are still relatively unaccustomed to environmental zones. But in Europe, it looks different, especially in certain countries. And it can get expensive to drive into cities or regions without being aware.
Katja Runestam Prinzell advises on the necessity of obtaining decals indicating the environmental class of the vehicle – stickers that should preferably be acquired already before the trip begins from Sweden. It is conveniently done via the official website that takes you further and also shows where the environmental zones are located.
Fines threaten
The decals are mandatory, otherwise:
You will get fined, then you won't be allowed to drive further, says Katja Runestam Prinzell.
If you then take a chance, drive further when the police have left, and you get caught again:
The fines will increase.
It can thus happen that you have to have your car towed away, or wait until the zone is temporarily deactivated, according to Runestam Prinzell.
Keeping track of the different environmental zones, which can be time-dependent or weather-dependent, is not entirely easy.
And they don't turn a blind eye if you're a Swedish tourist?
No.
Wonderful discoveries
And environmental zones can sometimes, especially in France, stretch a bit outside the city centers.
It's not just about cities but also areas, so it can be a bit tricky, says Katja Runestam Prinzell.
But with an environmental decal attached and a fairly modern car, with an environmental class Euro 6, it usually goes well. However, even pure electric cars must have the decal.
But with that said, she doesn't want to scare off car vacationers.
If you have the opportunity, you should try to get off the highways and take the journey as part of the goal and experience the countries. For there are so incredibly many wonderful things to discover, with the new culture and all the small towns and other places, Runestam Prinzell says.
Other important papers
Other practical tips to think about. Bring the car's registration certificate, a passport is recommended, at least a national ID. If you're going outside EU/EEA countries, you must have an international driver's license. Check the insurances, on the car but also the travel insurance that usually is included in the home insurance. The European health insurance card via the Social Insurance Agency is also good to have in case of an accident.
And for those who don't have an electric car but want to press the fuel note, fill up before leaving Sweden. Fuel prices are generally higher in Western Europe, lower in the eastern part of the continent.
