First diesel ban on German Autobahn

After a series of bans for older diesel vehicles in German city centres, a court in Gelsenkirchen has introduced a similar ban on the A40 motorway.

The German environmental protection group DUH has taken several cities to court to enforce bans for older diesel vehicles. Now, the court of Gelsenkirchen, in the Ruhr, has ruled diesels that do not comply with Euro 5 or Euro 6 cannot enter cities in a part of the Ruhr including the A40 motorway that runs through the cities of Gelsenkirchen and Essen from 1 July. Petrol vehicles that do not comply with Euro 3 will also be banned.

It is the first time a diesel ban covers an Autobahn.