Starting today, Wednesday, October 1, the new anti-smog measures in Lombardy and Veneto have come into effect, which will remain in place until March 31, 2026. These measures aim to combat air pollution in the Po Valley by reducing emissions of fine particulate matter and preventing prolonged exceedances of PM10 limits. In Lombardy, the circulation ban on weekdays (7:30 AM – 7:30 PM) applies to petrol vehicles up to Euro 2 and diesel vehicles up to Euro 4, primarily affecting municipalities in Zone 1 and those with over 30,000 residents. For Euro 5 diesel vehicles, the region has postponed the ban until October 1, 2026, while emergency measures may be activated in case of exceedances of permitted PM10 levels. In Veneto, the restrictions follow the Regional Air Protection and Improvement Plan, with bans for petrol vehicles up to Euro 2 and diesel vehicles up to Euro 4 in major urban centers. Similarly, there is no structural ban for Euro 5 diesel vehicles in 2025; however, in the event of an “orange” or “red” alert, they may be temporarily excluded from circulation. Both regions have confirmed the implementation of “ecological Sundays” and are utilizing technological tools such as the Move-In system to monitor vehicle emissions. These initiatives share the common goal of protecting public health and reducing the environmental impact of traffic during the most critical months for air quality. Italian Version
Anti-smog measures in Lombardy: strategies against air pollution
