24 Feb 17
News

Stuttgart to ban diesels

German highway

From 2018, Stuttgart will ban diesel cars from its city centre. The measure will only apply on smoggy days, for certain types of diesel vehicles and in a limited number of streets. Still, the move is remarkable, considering the German city is the home base of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

The diesel ban, aimed at improving air quality, will apply to all diesel vehicles that do not conform to Euro 6, the strictest EU emissions standard. That corresponds to more than 90% of the diesel vehicles currently on the road in Germany.  

But the ban will only take effect on days when air pollution exceeds a certain level. Due to its location in a valley, Stuttgart (pictured: Neckartal Viaduct with Mercedes-Benz Museum) is particularly susceptible to air pollution, with pollution levels often exceeding EU standards. 

Air pollution in Germany is such a problem that the European Commission has threatened to impose a fine on the country unless it takes action to reduce it. 

Details of the ban still need to be finalised. Possibly an exception will be made for delivery trucks, which would then still be able to reach the city centre even on high-pollution days.

The measure in Stuttgart is just one example of the growing anti-diesel tide in Europe, with many cities and regions imposing restrictions and bans on vehicles powered by the fuel – once hailed as the green alternative to petrol because of its reduced CO2 emissions. 

Only recently have governments become aware of the risks associated with diesel’s elevated emissions of NO.x. Nitrogen oxide is now known to be the cause of widespread respiratory disease. 

Image: Enslin, CC BY 2.5

Authored by: Frank Jacobs