Salzburg is about to experience a revolution in public transportation - the introduction of hydrogen buses as part of the ZEMoS project. The Salzburg Transport Association and Salzburg AG are investigating the efficiency of battery-electric and fuel cell-electric technologies in order to find the best solution for emission-free mobility.
Austria is actively committed to clean air. Low emission zones have been set up in six out of nine federal states. These zones were created to reduce emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides and thus protect the environment. The focus is particularly on delivery traffic, as it is considered to be the main source of these harmful emissions. However, it is likely that this regulation will also be extended to passenger transport in the future, as the EU directives on particulate matter and nitrogen oxides are not yet fully complied with.
Austrian Post has announced that it will switch its entire lorry fleet to HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) by mid-2024. A bold step that makes the company a pioneer in the industry. The progress is undoubtedly impressive, but also raises some questions.
Extended driving bans at weekends and spontaneous all-day closures for trucks on weekdays: In the next two years, truck drivers will have to prepare for enormous obstructions on the Tauern motorway from Salzburg to Villach. Transit traffic is likely to be the main victim of the tunnel work.
Since the beginning of 2020, many trucks are no longer allowed to drive through Tyrol in Austria, even though they comply with the latest Euro standard. However, vehicles travelling to and from Tyrol are not affected by the ban. This is unequal treatment, for which Italy now wants to take legal action.
Very long traffic jams occur time and again at the border between Germany and Austria. The reason? Among other things, the block clearances imposed by the Austrian authorities to relieve the road network of high traffic volumes. But the traffic restrictions continue to cause inconvenience on both sides of the border.
For many motorbike fans, riding on the winding mountain passes of Tyrol is an incomparable experience. But this year, riders of particularly noisy motorbikes will again be confronted with driving bans on certain routes. In this way, the region wants to bring noise pollution under control.
Austria's Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler is considering a ban on new vehicles with internal combustion engines from 2027 to meet the country's climate targets. This proposal comes at a time when Austria is facing the adoption of important legislation due to opposition from the SPÖ.
Attention, truck drivers! Due to a public holiday in Italy, there are some changes this week that you should be aware of. The Federal Ministry for Climate Protection is taking measures to regulate heavy goods traffic in Tyrol with driving bans and closures. So be prepared to exercise patience once again!
In addition to the existing strict environmental zone, an additional truck driving ban and four block clearance days on tomorrow's public holiday are planned for the Ascension week in Tyrol. Additional driving bans on main and secondary roads in the region are also planned for the coming months to dose traffic. Long traffic jams are to be expected in the Inn Valley and the rest of Tyrol.
