The city of The Hague in the Netherlands has made a far-reaching decision: From January 1, 2025, all advertising for conventional combustion engine cars will be banned. This is intended to promote the switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives and set an example for climate protection.
Emmanuel Cuet, a craftsman from Lyon, is facing major challenges and frustrations. His anger increased when he recently received a fine for non-compliance with the ZFE. This penalty is particularly hard for him, as he already has to deal with many difficulties in his profession. As a carpenter and locksmith at Ateliers Charignon in Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, he feels unfairly treated and feels that the measures are too quick and insufficient.
The 2024 European Football Championship in Germany is just around the corner and fans from all over the world are eagerly awaiting the event. The venues are spread all over the country, from Munich to Berlin, from Cologne to Hamburg. But not all cities are the same when it comes to environmental zones.
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.
In the debate about noise protection and speed limits in Germany, the Zweibrücken Higher Regional Court has now made a decision that could cause confusion. The driver of an electric car, who was travelling at 174 km/h instead of the permitted 100 km/h in a noise protection zone, defended himself against a fine. His argument was that his electric car was quieter than a car with a combustion engine, so he did not have to adhere to the noise-related speed limit. The court took a different view.
Belgium has drastically tightened its low emission zones for vehicles in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent since 2022, with further restrictions planned for 2025. Anyone driving in these cities must expect a fine of up to 350 euros. This regulation applies not only to local drivers, but also to foreign drivers. In all three cities, there is an environmental zone in which certain vehicles are not allowed to drive. Cameras monitor compliance with the rules by recording and comparing the licence plates of vehicles.
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), a non-profit organisation for environmental protection, also known for environmental zones and diesel driving bans, is being criticised: it refuses to disclose 15 large donations with a total value of over one million euros. The media company Table.Media discovered this in the lobby register of the German Bundestag. But what does this mean for DUH's credibility? What is the actual aim of its work?
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 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!
Brussels is getting serious in the fight against older diesel vehicles. Euro5 vehicles will be banned from 2024. The old combustion engines were actually supposed to be banned in all three environmental zones in Belgium. However, the Flemish government has decided to postpone the ban by one year.
