Critical voices have been raised following Switzerland's decision to extend the car tax to electric cars in order to compensate for tax losses. The change will have a huge impact on prices and sales figures for electric cars. Car importers see the announcement as the wrong signal from politicians, which could have serious consequences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stockholm is the first city in Europe to ban combustion engines from part of the city centre with a comprehensive zero-emission zone. After persistent protests prevented such a ban zone in the historic old town of Gamla Stan, the so-called "Low Emission Zone 3" for the city centre is now a done deal.
Paris and several other European metropolises have submitted a petition to the EU Parliament in which they rail against the planned Euro 7 standard. In its weakened form, it is a bitter setback, even a "licence to kill". The manufacturers should not be given a raw deal - after all, human lives are at stake.
There are more and more 30 km/h zones in cities. The concept of reducing traffic is popular both in terms of climate protection and road safety. Cities are also supposed to become more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. The problem: public transport, an important component of sustainable mobility concepts, suffers from speed reduction!
The Hessian SPD caused a stir shortly before the state elections on Sunday. When it came to transport policy, you not only wanted a drastic reduction in individual transport, you also did not shy away from interfering with citizens' private rights. Have you now been punished for this?
