Despite the efforts of European countries to ban internal combustion engines, they will be with us on the roads for a long time to come. The plan to switch to e-cars is designed to last for decades. Moreover, used combustion cars will not be targeted.
Nitrogen dioxide pollution in Basel is clearly too high. Several measures are being taken to change this. Among other things, Switzerland's first permanent low emission zone is to be introduced.
Many cities in Europe have already taken up the fight against air pollution. In some countries, however, the air is still worryingly dirty. Especially when it comes to particulate matter, cities without low-emission zones perform extremely badly. But even those with driving bans continue to struggle against pollutants.
In the debate about the end of the internal combustion engine, Germany has now decided on a concrete date. However, the date of 2035 is much further in the future than in other countries. In addition, the government is leaving a loophole open with synthetic fuels for the internal combustion engine.
It is not only air pollution that affects citizens in urban areas. Noise caused by traffic is also harmful to health. Many countries want to put an end to it.
Many countries in the EU are calling for an end to diesel and petrol cars. They want a concrete phase-out date from the European Union that would put an end to the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines. Germany is staying out of the debate.
The catalytic converters for diesel cars were supposed to upgrade older vehicles to Euro standard 6. Even before the development, experts warned that the retrofitting would be technically too complex and expensive, and would not be worthwhile. Environmental organisations and the party "die Grünen" nevertheless insisted on the technology.
E-cars contribute massively to particulate pollution, but unlike internal combustion vehicles, they are not regulated. Heavy sedans and SUVs in particular produce large amounts of the harmful particles. Will they soon be threatened with a driving ban?
Many countries have declared war on vans and trucks with combustion engines. Even newer combustion engines will soon no longer be allowed to enter some zones. The industry must act quickly.
On the first Sunday of every month, vehicles are banned in the centre of the two major cities. This Sunday is no exception.
