Brenner Pass: High costs for old vehicles
The governor of South Tyrol has submitted a concept to the government in Rome that is intended to re-regulate transit traffic over the Brenner Pass. The digital system is supposed to make traffic more environmentally friendly and the air cleaner.
Particulate matter (PM)
Air quality in Germany has improved over the years, also with regard to particulate matter emissions. And yet new driving bans could be imminent.
New rules for low emission zones in January 2022
The new year is barely a few days old, but already there are important changes in the environmental zones in many European cities. Often the changes only affect individual cities, but sometimes they affect entire countries. But some tightening has been postponed, on the one hand because pollutants have decreased due to the pandemic-related decrease in traffic, and on the other hand because drivers want to be given enough time to adjust to innovations in difficult times. Green-Zones® lists the new rules for January.
Speed limit 30 throughout Germany?!
The Berlin Senate has now evaluated a model test in which five busy main roads in Berlin were designated as 30 km/h zones. The results of the test are now available: Speed limit 30 reduces pollutant emissions. The Belgian capital Brussels is also highly satisfied after one year of 30 km/h speed limits.
Stuttgart: Diesel driving bans are successful
Due to court rulings on the grounds of excessive nitrogen dioxide content, Stuttgart had to introduce diesel driving bans in January 2019: Vehicles with Euro 4 and below have not been allowed to enter since then. In Stuttgart's city centre and the districts of Bad Cannstatt, Feuerbach and Zuffenhausen, an even stricter regime has been in place since July 2020: on some roads there, only Euro 5 and above are allowed to drive.
Firecracker ban ensures clean air
From the point of view of the German Environmental Aid (DUH), the nationwide ban on the sale of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's Eve was a complete success. However, it only refers to the pollution by fine dust, which has dropped by 90 per cent in many places.
Truck scrappage scheme criticised
At the beginning of the year, the then Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) introduced a scrapping premium for trucks. The aim was to reduce pollutants on Germany's roads. Was the venture crowned with success?
Too many signs in Berlin cause confusion
A traffic restriction only really makes sense if it is signposted. But what happens if there are signs but no traffic restrictions? In Berlin, diesel drivers have to deal with exactly this problem.
Transport sector in Germany complies with targets
The trade association en2x Fuels & Energie has calculated that transport in Germany is adhering to the set limits for pollutant emissions. The association calculates consumption based on the sale of fuels from cars, aircraft and ships.
Tesla closes charging stations
As is well known, the lack of charging infrastructure is the biggest obstacle for many e-car drivers. Of course, this is also related to the crowding around the available charging stations. Tesla has now found a solution.