In recent years, the number of cars registered in the Eurometropolis has steadily increased. However, for the first time since 2015, the region recorded a significant decline between 2022 and 2023. The number of cars fell by 2.83%, according to figures from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This decline is particularly noticeable in Strasbourg.
There has recently been some good news for travellers in Strasbourg. The President of the Eurometropolis has decided to suspend all fines in connection with the ZFE zone, citing the improvement in air quality as the reason. Pia Imbs explained: "There will be no further fines for the low emission zone. The air quality has improved. Despite this decision, the low emission zone will remain in place for educational reasons.
A recently published report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) found that CO2 emissions from cars in the EU have not fallen despite stricter regulations and increased average targets. The report concludes that while electric cars could make an important contribution to reducing emissions, their share is not growing fast enough to make a significant difference.
The city of Guadalajara in Mexico has announced plans to create its first LEZ (Low Emission Zone). The move is part of the city's efforts to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities, cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate crisis. The low emission zone will extend around the busy Ramón Corona intersection in the historic city centre. This is the first time such an attempt has been made in Mexico to improve air quality by regulating polluting vehicles in a specific zone.
It's a topic that is often discussed but never really solved: Air pollution in metro stations. Is it harmful to health? A recent study carried out in the Paris metro by Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) and Airparif has produced a detailed overview of pollution in the metro and the Réseau Express Régional (RER) and identified three stations with worryingly high levels of pollutants.
The EU Parliament's decision to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles has far-reaching implications for environmental zones and air quality. The ambitious targets stipulate that new city buses should be emission-free by 2035. Compared to 2019, their emissions are to be reduced by 90 % by 2030. Emissions from lorries and coaches are to be reduced by 90 % by 2040.
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?
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.
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.
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?
