Blog & News

February 2024

New EU air quality regulations: Hundreds of new low emission zones and driving bans possible

News from EU

In its constant endeavour to protect the health of its citizens and the environment, the European Union has introduced a new set of air quality regulations. Following intensive negotiations between the European Parliament and representatives of the Member States, an agreement has been reached: The limit values for various air pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, are to be significantly reduced by 2030. This reform has far-reaching implications for low emission zones in Europe.

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Future low emission zone Pollutants Limit values measured values Air Pollution Health alternative fuels Electrical Driving ban

Further ban on combustion engines in Lyon - environmental lane to be extended in both directions

News from France

The A6 motorway will lose a lane at the entrance to Lyon, which may then only be used by certain vehicles. This is the result of preparatory work that began on 5 February 2024 to widen the existing lane (M6). The work is taking place at the junction of the A89 and the A6 (Limonest) north of Lyon and should be completed by 2 March 2024.

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eco lane low emission zone Air Pollution measured values Limit values Speed limit

Diesel driving ban in Munich: Is the tightening coming after all?

News from Germany

In July last year, the people of Munich breathed a sigh of relief when Mayor Dieter Reiter announced that the EU limit value for nitrogen dioxide would only be exceeded in two places. A driving ban for Euro 5 diesel vehicles was therefore suspended for the time being from October 2023. But now the discussion about a diesel driving ban seems to have been reignited.

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Diesel Driving ban low emission zone City centre Health Limit values Air Pollution measured values

Smog alert in northern Italy: driving bans for Milan and neighbouring provinces

News from Italy

High levels of particulate matter, poor air quality and tough measures: Milan and eight other provinces in northern Italy's Lombardy region are currently struggling with severe air pollution. In response to the alarming environmental situation, the authorities have adopted a series of restrictive measures. These affect not only citizens, but also motorists.

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Alarm Driving ban Limit values Health Air Pollution Pollutants

Olympic Games 2024: Paris postpones ZTL

News from France

Paris is preparing for the 2024 Olympics while taking measures to improve air quality and road safety. And how? By postponing the introduction of a traffic-calmed zone (ZTL) in the city center until after the games. A measure that takes into account both the logistical requirements of the major event and underlines the city's commitment to a sustainable and healthy urban environment.

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low emission zone City centre Health Limit values Air Pollution measured values Future

Hanover low emission zone to be cancelled! What does this mean for air quality and the traffic turnaround?

News from Germany

From 22 February 2024, it will be official: the low emission zone in Hanover will be abolished. After 16 years of strict regulations for vehicles within the 4,300-hectare environmental zone between Sahlkamp, Süd-, West- and Messeschnellweg, you will no longer need a green sticker on your windscreen to drive into the city centre.

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low emission zone City centre Health Limit values Air Pollution measured values

A speed limit rarely comes alone - now 50 km/h on Berlin's roads again?

News from Germany

Transport Senator Manja Schreiner (CDU) recently proposed lifting the speed limit on many main roads in Berlin. This is a departure from the previous regulation, according to which a speed limit of 30 km/h applies on 34 main roads. The speed limit was introduced a few years ago to improve air quality and is now to be largely lifted now that this goal has been achieved.

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Speed limit City centre Air Pollution Noise Health low emission zone

Technology battle against CO2 and climate change

News from Germany
News from EU

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. With record temperatures and CO2 emissions in 2023, the 1.5-degree climate target seems to be receding ever further into the distance. In this situation, carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) is increasingly coming into focus. This is a technology for capturing and storing CO2 underground, which was a rather theoretical option for a long time, but is now becoming increasingly important due to the pressure to act to save the climate.

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Health Limit values Air Pollution measured values Pollutants Future