The new local governments are massively opposing the introduction of the new environmental zones. In many places they want to abolish the low emission zones or reduce them to an absolute minimum. Only 14 out of 149 cities meet the legal requirements. Cars seem to be on the rise again in the popular holiday destination.
The planned ban on older diesel and petrol vehicles in Flanders is postponed. Originally, diesel Euro5 and petrol Euro2 vehicles were to be banned from entering Antwerp and Ghent in less than 4 months. Now the government has postponed these tightening measures by one year and completely suspended all further bans.
In the event of high air pollution, intelligent displays will inform citizens and encourage them to use public transport. This should prevent driving bans.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, which has been in operation since April 2019, is to be significantly expanded. Originally, the ULEZ was established on an area of 21 square kilometres. On 25 October 2021, it was expanded 18 times and on 29 August 2023, it will be expanded to a whopping 1579 square kilometres. This will cover all London boroughs in Greater London, making it one of the largest environmental zones in the world.
Glasgow City Council has come under fire for its hypocritical implementation of the Low Emissions Zone (LEZ). While the council is asking businesses and commuters to comply with the LEZ regulations, its own vehicles are not compliant and the Lord Mayor's VW Phaeton limousine is also banned.
The postponement of the tightening of the environmental zone in the Paris metropolitan area, the Zone à Faibles Émissions (ZFE), has significant implications for the 7.2 million inhabitants and the environmental agenda in general.
With just a few adjustments, emissions from shipping can be reduced by 2030. A recent study shows that by taking precautions to save energy and increasing the use of alternative forms of propulsion, such as hydrogen, emissions can be cut by almost half.
No longer should only emergency vehicles and a few others benefit from exemptions. The city of Rouen in France now also wants to exempt people with chronic and long-term illnesses from the sticker obligation and guarantee them unrestricted access to the environmental zone of the Rouen metropolitan area.
The City of Paris has announced free parking for residents on Thursday 15 June due to air pollution. AIRPARIF predicts that the ozone information threshold (O3) will be exceeded on that day.
Engine exhaust is not the only source of environmental and air pollution in transport. Non-exhaust emissions such as so-called brake and tyre abrasion are also causing concern - and have the European Union and the car industry looking for more sustainable solutions. The Euro7 emissions standard planned for 2025 is soon to regulate particulate and microplastic emissions from pneumatics - and ensure that even cars with clean engines can keep polluting emissions from tyres and brakes under control. But the EU's plans have been sharply criticised.
