There are more and more electric cars in the capital, and this is “plotting” Lisbon’s mobility and parking company (EMEL).
With the initial objective of promoting more sustainable mobility practices, the “Green Dismstance” was created in 2013 to grant free and unlimited parking to 100% electric vehicles But mass adherence to this regime is now providing a negative impact on parking management in the city, especially on central areas, advances this Thursday.
According to Emel’s 2024 account report, at the end of last year were active 30,272 greenbuses in Lisbon, representing a 66% growth compared to the previous year. This evolution follows the national trend, as, according to ACAP, about 20% of the light vehicles new recorded in 2024 were electric.
Green Disticism can be purchased by any owner of an electric vehicle, regardless of the residence, upon payment of 12 euros. It is cheap, which has led many conductors from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area to resort to this benefit. In fact, 60% of green indoctics are emitted to cars registered outside the city.
The problem is worse in areas with greater demand and high tariffs, such as the so-called “Brown Axes”where these vehicles occupy up to 13% of places. Without payment of fare in these zones, usually designed to promote vehicle turnover, it is difficult to run parking, which according to EMEL is the purpose of tariffs – although it recognizes that concentration reduces the availability of charges.
It is estimated that if these vehicles pay parking, the company would have raised about 3.7 million euros em 2024.
The company is already conducting studies to evaluate the impacts of the trend.
