A few days ago, the Federal Environment Agency warned of 'very poor' air quality in many places in eastern Germany, caused by a combination of an easterly flow and a stable high-pressure weather situation. This inversion weather situation led to an increased accumulation of air pollutants and significantly impaired air quality. Should we introduce more low emission zones after all?
Zurich's Langstrasse, known for its vibrant nightlife and diversity, has a new attraction, albeit one that is likely to be less popular with motorists: an automatic speed camera. From now on, anyone who violates the daytime driving ban will be automatically recorded and penalised.
The haulage industry in Germany is at its limit and has made its displeasure known in Berlin over the last few days. Over 1,500 lorry drivers took part in the rally to the capital to draw attention to their problems. At the centre of the complaints are a lack of parking spaces and higher toll charges, which are keeping the industry on tenterhooks.
Construction sites and the construction industry itself are major emitters of CO2, particulate matter and other substances that contribute to air pollution in environmental zones and urban centres in general. However, the industry has already taken important steps towards zero emissions and climate neutrality: construction vehicles are becoming increasingly electric!
The university city in Middle Franconia has been offering free public transport in the city centre since the turn of the year. A new bus route and the switch to e-buses are also part of the pilot project. Erlangen wants to reduce the number of cars, make public transport more attractive and improve air quality. This would enable the city to avoid the threat of driving bans in view of the EU's new air pollution limits.
Due to the tightening of air limits by the European Union, there could soon be low emission zones in Dresden and Chemnitz. The plans for new driving bans are becoming more and more concrete. The EU only voted on the new roadmap for air quality at the end of last year. According to this, the limit values are to be adapted to the WHO values. The only low emission zone in Saxony, Leipzig, could soon be joined by other East German cities.
The Dutch organisation Transport in Noord wants to sue London for unlawful fines. These were recently sent in bulk to traffic offenders in recent years. A florist was retroactively fined 400,000 euros. If the lawsuit is upheld, fines totalling one billion euros could become invalid. Despite legal hurdles and high costs, the London case shows us the way to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Electromobility as a solution - now is the time for change!
Residents and tourists, bus and lorry drivers beware! Since the beginning of the year, the rules in the environmental zones in several French cities have been tightened. In this way, the government is attempting to further reduce air pollution and pursue its roadmap towards green mobility.
Farmers in Germany are taking to the barricades because of the loss of subsidies for agricultural diesel and the new motor vehicle tax for agricultural vehicles. Today, Monday, they want to paralyse Germany. Switching to local transport will probably not be a good idea either, as the GDL labour union is also planning to strike.
The recent cancellation of the environmental bonus for electric cars is causing a stir. Sales of electric cars have already plummeted in a very short space of time. The German government is thus jeopardising air quality. Do we now have to expect more environmental zones?
