Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas with a pungent odour. In high concentrations it is very harmful to humans, flora and fauna. Fortunately, however, sulphur dioxide emissions are steadily decreasing.
Tag: Pollutants
Berlin: Abolition of 30 km/h zones
Last year, the development of pollutant emissions at 30 km/h was measured on five stretches of road in Berlin. A decrease in pollution was measured on these heavily frequented streets, only on Potsdamer Strasse no decrease could be detected. Now the 30 km/h zones could be abolished, but the transport senator has a different plan.
With green traffic lights to fewer pollutants
With an intelligent traffic light assistant that informs when the next traffic light will turn green again, drivers need to stop at a red light much less often. Pollutant emissions can also be reduced in this way.
Brenner Pass: High costs for old vehicles
The governor of South Tyrol has submitted a concept to the government in Rome that is intended to re-regulate transit traffic over the Brenner Pass. The digital system is supposed to make traffic more environmentally friendly and the air cleaner.
Particulate matter (PM)
Air quality in Germany has improved over the years, also with regard to particulate matter emissions. And yet new driving bans could be imminent.
Stuttgart: Diesel driving bans are successful
Due to court rulings on the grounds of excessive nitrogen dioxide content, Stuttgart had to introduce diesel driving bans in January 2019: Vehicles with Euro 4 and below have not been allowed to enter since then. In Stuttgart's city centre and the districts of Bad Cannstatt, Feuerbach and Zuffenhausen, an even stricter regime has been in place since July 2020: on some roads there, only Euro 5 and above are allowed to drive.
Firecracker ban ensures clean air
From the point of view of the German Environmental Aid (DUH), the nationwide ban on the sale of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's Eve was a complete success. However, it only refers to the pollution by fine dust, which has dropped by 90 per cent in many places.
Too many signs in Berlin cause confusion
A traffic restriction only really makes sense if it is signposted. But what happens if there are signs but no traffic restrictions? In Berlin, diesel drivers have to deal with exactly this problem.
Transport sector in Germany complies with targets
The trade association en2x Fuels & Energie has calculated that transport in Germany is adhering to the set limits for pollutant emissions. The association calculates consumption based on the sale of fuels from cars, aircraft and ships.
USA: Driving bans for combustion vehicles as early as 2026
The USA wants to drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. One step in this direction is the new regulations on petrol consumption of cars. From 2026 onwards, car manufacturers must set up their vehicle fleets in such a way that the vehicles can cover an average of almost 90 kilometres on just under four litres of petrol. But now this target is on the brink of collapse.
