Diesel driving ban: These cities are affected

The first diesel driving bans have come into force and more and more cities are being added. However, there are some urban areas that cannot comply with the limit values ​​for fine dust and nitrogen dioxide imposed by the EU.

Diesel driving ban: Germany does not meet EU limits in many places

The EU specifies the maximum level of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution in European cities.

• Since Germany has committed itself to complying with the guidelines, the government must find a way to reduce the values. For this reason, driving bans for motor vehicles have been issued.
• Diesel engines in particular are the focus of driving bans because of their high nitrogen oxide emissions. The thought: If you ban these cars from the zones in which the limit values ​​are exceeded, the air becomes cleaner. However, Otto engines could also be affected. You can read about the advantages and disadvantages of a diesel engine from us.
• The current limit for nitrogen oxide is 40 micrograms NOx per cubic meter. The German Environmental Aid Association (DUH), which had already successfully sued before the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig and thus created the legal basis for a driving ban, does not go far enough for the EU.
• The DUH, which is financially supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, calls for Germany to lower the limit to 20 micrograms NOx per cubic meter, i.e. halve it.
• The EU directive cannot be adhered to in many places. Which municipalities currently exceed the limit values ​​can be seen on the exceedance table of the Federal Environment Agency.

The first driving bans for diesel cars affect these cities

Several cities in Germany are significantly above the limit. The first driving bans have already been pronounced here and more will probably be added. However, these do not apply to the entire urban area, but to particularly polluted areas.

• The first German city affected is Hamburg . Since the end of May 2018, driving bans have been in effect on two heavily used sections of the Elbe metropolis.
• Darmstadt has also been provided with two sections. Wiesbaden is also to become the next city in Hesse.
• In Berlin this is particularly true of the Neukölln and Mitte districts. Initially, eight sections of the road were banned.
• Furthermore, the city center of Stuttgart has been hit by the diesel driving ban. This should also happen in Frankfurt in a short time.
• The center of Cologne along with other zones is also affected. So far in Bonn, not far away, the bans only apply in two main streets in the center.
• With the no-driving zone in Essen, part of a motorway is also included for the first time.
• Gelsenkirchen and in future Aachen and Mainz will also be affected.

These diesel cars are affected

Not every diesel is withdrawn from traffic in the event of a driving ban. The pollutant class should be used as a criterion.

• If your vehicle only complies with the Euro 4 emissions standard or worse, you will no longer be allowed to drive on these affected streets or districts in the event of a driving ban. Cars with Otto engines would be affected by the driving ban if they did not meet the Euro 3 pollutant class.
• With a Euro 5 diesel, however, you are not necessarily on the safe side, not even with a Euro 6 diesel. In further steps, these cars could also be banished from the streets.
• If you drive a diesel and live in an urban area where such a ban is pronounced, you do not have to be afraid of not coming home. For residents the sign "residents free" applies more than a possible driving ban.

Diesel driving ban: implementation not yet regulated

Although in some German cities there is talk of further driving bans, the implementation of one is not yet regulated.

• Blue badges in different shades of color are discussed for the respective Euro standard of a vehicle. Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesels should therefore be marked with a light blue sticker. Dark blue badges are planned for the new Euro 6d-TEMP or Euro 6d cars.
• The automotive industry has long resisted these environmental badges. Surprisingly, there is now a turnaround: The bosses of Daimler, BMW and VW have recently been calling for the "badge" diesel to be marked with the blue badge.
• However, you would also like to help shape the rules on driving bans, for example through a longer transition phase to actual driving bans.

Switching made easy: EFahrer.com

Electric car instead of diesel: You can find current tests and a range calculator on our e-mobility portal EFahrer.com. There is also a large advisory area around electric cars.

The next article is also about diesel vehicles. You will find detailed information and requirements for the blue environmental sticker there.