While countries like France and the Netherlands are increasingly introducing measures to limit emissions and the resulting pollution in the transport sector, some German cities now want to abolish the long-standing environmental zones. As of March, Karlsruhe, Pfinztal, Schramberg and Heidelberg will no longer have low emission zones. Will other German cities follow suit?
Low-emission zones are not the only way cities and municipalities are going about their efforts to make traffic more environmentally friendly. New regulations are being introduced all the time to supplement low-emission zone rules or to make traffic safer. In France and Switzerland, for example, further regulations are in force that require more than just an environmental sticker to drive - for increased road safety and a greener traffic future. In Switzerland, the Stick'Air sticker is compulsory, and in France the Angles Morts sticker. But what are they exactly and how do they work? Green-Zones® explains everything you need to know.
From 2035, no new diesel and petrol cars will be allowed in the European Union. But what will become of numerous other vehicles, such as trucks and buses, which will find it more difficult to make a green transition? What will the planned EU ban on the use of internal combustion engines in new registrations mean for such large vehicles? Which cities are already banning internal combustion vehicles from low emission zones?
An innovative traffic light model has been developed in the USA. In addition to the three typical colours, there will be a fourth colour to integrate future autonomous vehicles into traffic - with possible positive side effects for the environment as well.
The number of traffic-related environmental pollutants that have a negative impact on climate and health is endless. A start-up from the UK is now developing a device that will enable the collection of microplastics generated during driving - for the sake of the environment and health.
In the course of the diesel scandal, both Volkswagen and the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) had been involved in the legal dispute of the German Environmental Aid (DUH) against the defeat devices active in many combustion engines. The Administrative Court in Schleswig has now ruled on the involvement of the Federal Office and the inadmissibility of the retrofits planned by the carmakers. It could be expensive for both sides.
Last week, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) condemned the Balkan state for persistent air pollution. Like France and Germany before it, Greece had not done enough to comply with pollution limits.
Only electric taxis are to be newly registered from 2025. The Hanseatic city wants to reduce emissions in the transport sector - and thus make faster progress in climate protection. Will other cities follow suit and become more involved in electromobility?
The EU Parliament's decision on Tuesday to no longer allow new cars with combustion engines is causing concern for many motorists. The Greens, the Left and the Social Democrats voted in favour of only allowing second-hand cars with petrol and diesel to be driven in Europe. Now the question arises whether this was only the first step towards a complete ban of combustion engines on our roads.
As expected, the European Union Parliament approved the upcoming regulation for new cars on 14 February 2023. From 2035, new registered private cars and light commercial vehicles will be emission-free as part of the Union's transport and climate policy. However, not everything has been decided yet.
