The rude awakening: Fine dust, dirt and soot on New Year's Day
Every year: New Year's Day, the day when the smell of sulphur is still in the air and grey smears cover the sky. Rubbish and soot everywhere on the streets, damaged cars here and there.
Tag: Air Pollution
Berlin is suffocating: Air quality and political failures
Air pollution in Berlin has reached an alarming level. The air quality index (LQI) ranked dangerously high on 6 December 2023. A sad reality that shows us the catastrophic effects of our political decisions. This city, which once wanted to shine with the construction of cycle lanes, many green spaces and pedestrian zones, has taken a different path and is increasingly suffocating in car smog.
A city at a snail's pace: Toulouse 85% 30 km/h!
Drivers in Toulouse must be prepared for drastic changes. Currently, over half of the city's roads are already 30 km/h. Next year, this figure is set to rise to 85%!
The shattered tyre dream: a disaster for the environment and motorists
It was supposed to be a revolution in the car industry, a turning point for the environment and a triumph for all drivers: the airless tyre. But now the tyre dream has been shattered. A bitter setback, not only for the manufacturer Michelin, but also for the environment and us motorists.
Dystopia of the trackless tram: fine dust pollution in the guise of revolutionary local transport
It sounds like the forward-looking answer to urban transport problems: The first trackless tram in Australia. However, if you take a closer look at the facts, it quickly becomes clear that this is not the hoped-for revolution in local transport, but rather harbours a potential environmental problem.
For more climate protection: new lorry toll could also contribute to better air quality in cities
From December 2023, the lorry toll is to be linked to CO2 emissions. This is intended to incentivise more climate protection and reduce emissions. 200 euros will be due per tonne of CO2. The revenue from the toll is to be invested primarily in the railways in order to be able to transport more goods by rail again in future.
Antwerp's low emission zone policy: more exemptions and social tariffs for non-residents
From 27 April 2024, more people, including non-residents of Antwerp, will be entitled to an exemption or a social tariff in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) of Antwerp, Belgium. The Flemish government is making adjustments to the access conditions for the LEZ in Antwerp and Ghent. These changes are aimed at making the LEZ more social, according to Tom Meeuws (Vooruit), Councillor for the Environment.
Electric car shock: Switzerland reveals astronomical costs and tax losses due to EV boom!
Switzerland has announced it will abolish tax incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) from January 1, 2024, amid concerns over rising tax losses due to the EV boom. Importers of electric vehicles will now have to pay a tax levy of four percent of the vehicle's import price. This removes the tax exemption that has been in place since 1997.
The remarkable impact of low emission zones on air quality in London
Air quality in London has improved significantly over the last 15 years thanks to the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). This initiative to reduce air pollution has not only improved air quality in the city, but has also contributed to improved public health and economic savings.
Antwerp puts the brakes on classic cars: Historic cars to be banned from the city's low emission zone!
From April 27, 2024, the environmental zone policy in Antwerp will change fundamentally. The city council has decided to restrict access to the low emission zone (LEZ) for classic cars.
