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Ban on Euro 5 trucks in Piedmont, Italy, delayed for at least a year

The Italian government has postponed the Euro5 ban in Piedmont, a region in north-west Italy. According to the latest decision, the restrictions will come into force on 1 October 2024 and will affect lorries both registered in or transiting through the region.

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The restrictions will apply to Euro 5 diesel lorries weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. These lorries will be banned from entering the 76 municipalities in Piedmont that have been identified as having the worst air quality. This includes the capital, Turin.

There are some exceptions to the restrictions though. Euro 5 diesel lorries carrying perishable goods or goods essential to the functioning of the economy will be allowed to enter the restricted areas. Lorries carrying out essential maintenance or repairs will also be exempt.

Truck drivers who violate the restrictions could face fines of up to €500.

Planned and existing lorry bans in Piedmont

Until 15 April 2024, specific restrictions will continue to apply to the movement of certain diesel vehicles in the region: Euro 3 and Euro 4 diesel lorries are subject to restrictions on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 19:00.

The restrictions include emergency measures based on pollution levels, mainly PM10.

From 1 October 2024, Euro 5 lorries may be subject to an optional ban in municipalities that meet certain criteria (at least 30,000 inhabitants, a satisfactory public transport system and high pollution levels).

From 1 October 2025, the ban will become mandatory in the same municipalities.

The Move-In Piemonte system

The Move-In Piemonte system is a program designed to manage and regulate the movement of vehicles within certain mileage limits despite traffic restrictions in the Piedmont region of Italy. It aims to strike a balance between environmental concerns and the practical needs of residents and businesses, especially those with vehicles that do not meet emission standards or other regulatory requirements.

Criteria for participation:

To be eligible for the Move-In Piemonte system, certain criteria must be met:

  • Vehicle type: The program generally applies to vehicles that do not comply with local emission standards or face restrictions due to environmental concerns. The specific criteria for eligible vehicles may vary depending on local regulations.
  • Assigned mileage limits: Participants are assigned a maximum number of kilometers that they can travel within a specified time frame, typically on an annual basis. The specific mileage limit depends on the type of vehicle.
  • Participating municipalities: The program operates within specific municipalities that have implemented traffic restrictions. These municipalities typically have higher levels of pollution or congestion.

How the Move-In Piemonte system works:

Once enrolled in the Move-In Piemonte system, participants have a mileage limit assigned to their vehicles based on the vehicle type. For example, a Euro 4 diesel car might be allowed to travel a maximum of 7,000 kilometers within the program’s scope.

To monitor mileage accurately, a tracking device, often referred to as a “black box“, is installed in the enrolled vehicles. This device records the kilometers driven by the vehicle.

The system continuously tracks the mileage of the enrolled vehicles. If a vehicle approaches or exceeds its assigned mileage limit within the specified time frame, it may face restrictions on further travel within the designated municipalities. This is done to ensure that vehicles do not contribute excessively to pollution or traffic congestion.

If a vehicle exceeds its mileage limit, penalties may be imposed.

Participants can typically monitor their remaining kilometers using a dedicated app or website provided by the Move-In Piemonte system.

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