Drivers can expect Stuttgart entry bans for vehicles with Diesel engines. In a lawsuit against Baden-Württemberg land Administrative Court of Stuttgart agreed with the German climate-protection organisation Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DHU).
After the judgement of the Administrative Court in Stuttgart DUH has the right to demand that the Stuttgart air cleanliness maintenance plan is to be continued. The most effective way to reduce emissions and meeting standards is the introduction of Diesel vehicles entry ban. According to the court decision the ban may take effect from 1 January 2018.
The land government opted for other ways to reduce emissions, for example speed limits, entry bans according to the registration numbers, urban toll and, primarily, additional equipment for Diesel engines which would reduce the release of exhaust gases. The court, however, found this solution to be insufficient, especially since it would be introduced only in 2020 and would reduce emissions by only 9%.
The decision can be still appealed against. It is possible that the dispute will be continued at the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. According to German media reports the Ministry of Transport of Baden-Württemberg will carefully examine the decision of the court.
In 2015 the DUH organisation filed a lawsuit against the Baden-Württemberg land. The case concerned the exceeding of the emission standards for nitrogen oxides and ended on Friday 28 July. It is not known yet whether the Ministry of Transport will appeal against the judgement.
We will keep you up-to-date on further details.
Traffic restrictions in European cities
Last year Paris introduced the ecology vignette Crit’Air which is available in 6 categories and colours, depending on the date of the registration of the vehicle, energy efficiency and the amount of exhausted fumes. From 1 of July 2017 not having the Crit’Air vignette will result in a fine depending on the type of vehicle. Truck drivers will pay up to 375 euro.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
