Pollution meters are running red in Germany’s big cities, environmental protests are increasing and actions being taking by responsible politicians such as Winfried Kretschmann, member of “the Greens” party.
The “dieselgate” scandal began when Volkswagen was caught cheating emissions tests in the US but it is now clear that almost all cars emit far more nitrogen dioxide than regulators intended. Major cities in Europe such as Madrid, Athens, Paris are taking similar actions to keep Diesel away and the engine will disappear sooner as expected.
Stuttgart – Germany
Engines which are lower as the EURO 6 norm will be banned in certain areas and also during rush hour traffic. Affected will be almost 13 Million vehicles.
On February 21st, Stuttgart, for the first time a city in Germany, adopted a driving ban for diesel vehicles that do not comply with the EURO 6 standard. Stuttgart is one of the dirtiest cities in Germany in terms of air quality, polluted with fine dust and NOx. The geographic location of the city, which is situated in a valley trap, and its transport infrastructure mean that the pollutants remain in and over the city for a long time. Stuttgart had long fought for the introduction of the Blue Plaquette (NOx plaque), but so far, like other German cities, the German Minister of Transport ,Dobrindt has been slowed down the process.
Like its predecessors, it has consistently defended the interests of the car manufacturers and has reduced their proven and suspected exhaust gas mishandling, rather than taking an intensive look at the fact that diesel engines finally reach the exhaust gas values in real operation which previously suggested the potential buyers an environmentally compatible car.
Owners of the other diesel engine standards will be able to upgrade to the “Blue Badge” ( die Blaue Plakette ) after a visit to a certified inspection unit.
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