Cars are increasingly encountering driving bans and electromobility is gaining acceptance as a sustainable form of future mobility. Could environmental zones, which reduce and prevent local emissions, then lose their significance? Unlikely, as engine exhausts are not the only factors that harm the environment in connection with cars.
Düsseldorf is planning to introduce car bans in the city centre and is also calling on other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia to focus on green measures to reduce traffic and emissions. Will Dortmund and Bochum, for example, also create car-free zones in the city centre?
The already active low emission zone is not enough to keep emissions down on Lyon's roads. So a larger low emission zone is to come into force at the beginning of 2024 and prohibit all vehicles without a sticker - or with sticker 5 - from entering the ZFE. In the coming months, the city will present its plans.
The long-discussed tightening of the environmental zone regulations in the city centre have already led to an improvement in air quality a few days after coming into force. The nitrogen dioxide concentration at the measuring point on the busy Hope Street has been reduced by 27%. Will the green regulation - despite criticism - be effective in combating air pollution in Glasgow?
At the top of the agenda of the newly elected PP mayor is the abolition of the VAO lane on the Ma-19 motorway and the speed limit. The planned construction of a tram line to the airport is now also in jeopardy. Climate-protective transport measures will have to reckon with massive headwinds on the island in the future.
As of yesterday, most internal combustion vehicles - including taxis - are no longer allowed to enter Glasgow's Low Emission Zone without penalty. A green retrofit of the industry could no longer be postponed, he said. However, the city is expected to offer alternative and safe mobility solutions to compensate for the displacement of thousands of taxis.
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.
On 1 June, stricter low emission zone regulations come into force in the Scottish city of Glasgow. But the new measure is already raising doubts. For reports show that the stricter environmental zone could lead to increased traffic in other parts of the city - and consequently not reduce climate-damaging emissions, but only displace them.
This is the conclusion of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) - concerned that wood-burning stoves and fireplaces release too much particulate matter during operation. According to a draft law of the Federal Cabinet, heating with wood could be permitted only on a restricted basis in the future.
Air quality is improving and cities are responding by removing emission-reducing driving bans. But even where no low-emission zones regulate traffic, instruments to protect the environment could soon be decommissioned. Kiel is reviewing plans to remove the air filter at the Theodor-Heus-Ring.
