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German court rules cities can ban diesel cars

Feb 28, 2018 Germany, Volkswagen, VW, diesel cars, diesel, engine, pollution, emissions, VWScandal, EV



Reuters has reported that a new court ruling in Germany will see cities in that country able to “ban the most heavily polluting diesel cars from their streets”. Analysts believe the move could force a more rapid shift away from the combustion engine and at the same time, compel manufacturers to pay for improved exhaust systems. 

According to the report: “The court said Stuttgart, which styles itself the birthplace of the modern automobile and is home to Mercedes-maker Daimler, should consider gradually imposing a year-round ban for older diesel models, while Duesseldorf should also think about curbs.” In addition, the Reuters' article commented: “Many other German cities exceed European Union limits on nitrogen oxide (NOx), known to cause respiratory disease. After the ruling, the northern city of Hamburg said it would start to implement limits on diesel vehicles from the end of April. 

The ruling is a further blow to an already damaged sector reputation and could threaten many thousands of jobs, thanks to Germany's backing of diesel engines as a solution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The global move away from diesel engines started over 2 years ago, with the admission by Volkswagen that it had falsified results in U.S. Emissions tests. The furor has continued and boosted acceptance of electric powered vehicles as increasingly such admittances have come to light. Germany is not the only country to be looking into diesel engine bans - “Paris, Madrid, Mexico City and Athens have said they plan to ban diesel vehicles from city centres by 2025, while the mayor of Copenhagen wants to ban new diesel cars from entering the city as soon as next year. France and Britain will ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2040.” 

But the ruling has not only angered carmakers. Reuters highlights that while the ruling was praised by environmental groups numerous politicians and business lobbies have said that millions of drivers might end up unable to use or sell vehicles they bought in good faith. 

“Driving bans have a massive impact on our ownership rights, on mobility and on our profession,” said Hans Peter Wollseifer, president of the association of German tradesmen. “The carmakers are to blame for the diesel problem, not us tradesmen.” 

German Prime Minister Angela Merkel is quoted as saying that the government would discuss with regions and municipalities how to proceed, while her ministers said they still hoped bans could be averted by steps to bolster public transport and get automakers to improve emissions systems. “We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of personal freedom and the reduction in value of cars,” Transport Minister Christian Schmidt told a news conference. 

According to Reuters, the court on Tuesday ordered Stuttgart and Duesseldorf to amend their anti-pollution plans, saying city bans could be implemented even without nationwide rules. “It will not be easy to implement,” Stuttgart mayor Fritz Kuhn told a news conference, adding the regional government would probably agree a new plan within six months. Germany’s police union warned it did not have capacity to enforce any bans. 



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