2021
Phasing out the internal combustion engine by 2035 - except for luxury cars?
The EU Commission has set itself high goals: In July this year, it announced its goal of ending the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035. That does not suit everyone. In Italy, there are now hopes for an exception for car manufacturers Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Export ban or expropriation of EURO 4 vehicles?
A new regulation for the sale of used cars could mean that they have to be scrapped. An EU directive is planned that will classify used cars with an exhaust emission class below Euro 5 as scrap in the future. This will make it increasingly difficult or impossible to sell them in poorer countries.
Austrian low emission zones explained
In Austria there are seven environmental zones and one noise zone. In Burgenland, Lower and Upper Austria, Styria and Vienna, the environmental zone applies to trucks only, and to all types. Whether vans, whether lorries under or over 3.5 tonnes: All truck classes, i.e. N1, N2, N3, are affected by the driving ban, at least those that do not meet Euro standard 3.
New low emission zones in France
France is getting serious and making life difficult for drivers. Since the end of August, Paris, like Lille and Grenoble before it, has had a 30 km/h speed limit in the city centre. In addition, there are more and more low emission zones in France.
Noise protection zones are booming
In addition to air pollution in our cities, noise pollution is also increasingly coming into focus. Austria, Switzerland and France are leading the way. In Austria's Außerfern/Tyrol, loud motorbikes were already banned last year on particularly popular routes in the Tannheimertal, Hahntennjoch and Lechtal valleys. Anyone emitting more than 95 decibels has to pay a 220 € fine.
Tesla with filter against “bioweapons”
Lucky those who find themselves in a Tesla Model Y during a bioweapons attack! Because then it is not unlikely that you will survive -- as long as you don't get out. At least that's what Elon Musk says. On closer inspection, however, Tesla's new gadget turns out to be just a normal filter against fine dust, albeit a very effective one.
Support for climate killers?
Plug-in hybrids in Germany are still subsidised, even though they harm the climate more than combustion engines. Even a new regulation starting next year is no solution for many climate protectionists.
Big Brother in the car!
We already knew that a Tesla car is packed with useful technology. But the fact that this technology can also betray its drivers is probably new to many.
Scrappage premium for trucks does not help the environment
He wanted to be so climate-friendly: But the bonus that Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer promised and paid out for the purchase of a new truck has no real positive effect on the climate. Critics complain that this money could have been better invested in climate protection.
Danish low emission zones explained
There are four environmental zones in Denmark. These are located in the capital Copenhagen, as well as in Aalborg, Aarhus and Odense. All these low emission zones are permanently valid and affect diesel buses, vans and trucks, i.e. vehicles of classes M2 and M3 as well as N1, N2 and N3. While until the middle of last year there were still environmental badges with which the vehicles had to be marked, there is now registration and electronic controls.