The discussion about sustainable mobility has recently focussed increasingly on e-fuels. E-fuels, synthetic fuels obtained by reversing the combustion process, have the potential to offer a climate-friendly alternative to electric drives. However, their environmental compatibility and energy balance still need to be investigated further.
Drivers' love of SUVs has meant that the average width of cars in Europe has increased by half a centimetre every year since 2001. This development brings with it a number of challenges, particularly in terms of parking facilities and road safety. A study by the European umbrella organisation Transport & Environment shows that half of new cars are now too wide for many parking spaces in European cities. The researchers are therefore in favour of a European upper limit for the width of cars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
