Proposal for Limiting Holiday House Ownership to a Single Vehicle
In a bid to address the growing issue of traffic congestion and reduce the carbon footprint on the popular Spanish island of Mallorca, the Consell of Mallorca has proposed a series of new vehicle restrictions.
The proposed measures, which are yet to be approved by the government of the Balearic Islands, aim to alleviate the extreme congestion on Mallorca's roads, particularly since April. The congestion has been described as nigh unmanageable, with the number of cars on the island's roads currently in a surplus of 93,000 to 122,000.
The new law draft includes a restriction on vehicles not registered in the Balearic Islands. This restriction does not apply to residents of Mallorca but will be placed for holiday homes in Mallorca, limiting one car per home for non-residents who own a house on the island.
The car rental industry has voiced opposition to these measures, arguing that they are discriminatory and could cause economic damage. However, the Consell of Mallorca maintains that the restrictions are necessary to prioritize the needs of residents in Mallorca and make driving conditions safer for both residents and tourists.
In addition to the vehicle registration restrictions, the proposed plan includes a tax on vehicles entering Mallorca, ranging from €50 to €85. The Consell of Mallorca also plans to limit the number of rental cars circulating on the island as part of its efforts to reduce traffic congestion.
The island has seen a significant overpopulation with new cars being constantly registered, exacerbating the traffic issues, which are also caused by the over 400,000 vehicles arriving by ferry annually. The proposed restrictions are part of a broader effort to address these issues and are similar to measures already being scrutinized by Spain's National Markets and Competition Commission in Ibiza.
Furthermore, Palma, the capital city of Mallorca, has already implemented a Low Emission Zone, which fines high-emission vehicles for entering. The new vehicle restrictions, if approved, are expected to contribute to a cleaner and safer environment on the island.
The Consell of Mallorca's proposed plan is part of a drive to manage the substantial influx of tourists and vehicles, which has led to gridlock not only in Mallorca but also in other Balearic islands like Ibiza and Formentera. While Ibiza and Formentera have introduced a daily fee of €1 for tourists bringing cars ashore, Mallorca's approach is more comprehensive with its proposed fees and registration limits.
The proposed vehicle restrictions for Mallorca are a significant step towards addressing the island's traffic problems and reducing its carbon footprint. The Consell of Mallorca remains hopeful that the government of the Balearic Islands will approve these measures to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more manageable future for the island and its residents.
- environmental-science experts are exploring solutions to reduce carbon emissions on Mallorca, considering the new vehicle restrictions as a promising approach in environmental-science research.
- The finance department of the Balearic Islands is evaluating the potential benefits of the proposed tax on vehicles entering Mallorca, recognizing its potential contribution to public-transit systems and cleaner transportation.
- As part of its efforts to manage the environmental impact of the tourism industry, the Consell of Mallorca is looking into partnerships with the climate-change division of the industry, aiming to promote sustainable transportation options such as public-transit and electric vehicles.
