Germans do not want to give up the car. More than half of them are against car-free city centres. Even among younger citizens, who tend to be more in favour of reducing car traffic, there is no majority in favour of locking out car traffic.
Electric cars could soon be affected by the restrictions imposed by environmental zones. Due to their high particulate matter production, the OECD demands that the emissions of electric cars be taken into account in driving bans. Manufacturers like Daimler would then have to switch to significantly smaller models or filter systems.
Because of the German government's climate targets, traffic in Germany must be significantly reduced in the coming years. Transport Minister Scheuer therefore wants a railway reform that puts climate protection first. This is urgently needed. More digitalisation and modern infrastructure are to contribute to the turnaround.
Often citizens stand in the way of projects for fewer cars in city centres. Only when the positive effects of such projects become apparent do opinions change. For example, city tolls and car-free zones have already been introduced in many European cities. Now citizens are more and more convinced. In Germany, politics is often too hesitant.
The number of vehicles in Germany continues to increase. There is no trend away from the car proclaimed by politicians. Even in large cities, more and more people are relying on their own cars in front of their doors. The traffic turnaround with alternative mobility concepts has been missed.
Cheap, fast and easy. That's how Germans like their mobility. Many don't care whether it is also good for the climate. So although many citizens are calling for more climate protection, they don't want to start with their own cars.
The environmental zone in Erfurt is history. After the particulate matter levels have been significantly improved in recent years, the Higher Administrative Court has now upheld the complaint of an Erfurt taxi driver. A victory at the expense of health.
The traffic turnaround in Germany is only making slow progress. In order to reduce traffic in Frankfurt's city centre, a city toll is now to be introduced. This should also avert the threat of diesel driving bans.
Climate protectionists are reluctant to travel by car. Instead, they rely on travelling by rail: "Travelling by train is environmental protection" is Deutsche Bahn's self-imposed image. But diesel locomotives and nuclear power paint a different picture of the railway.
The French state and the city of Paris have signed an agreement on the ecological development of cities. In it, they commit to expanding the infrastructure towards more clean mobility in the cities. The focus is on cycle paths and electric cars, but also on tightening the environmental zones.
