The second stage of the diesel driving ban in Munich could possibly not be ignited at all. Because the air values are already getting better.
Munich - The air values in Munich are improving, the pollution with nitrogen oxides is declining: The diesel ban is apparently having an effect. And that could mean that further driving bans become unnecessary. Munich in the Diesel-Dusel!
Diesel driving ban in Munich: Since 1 February, Euro 4 vehicles are no longer allowed on the Mittlerer Ring
As a reminder, because the city has not complied with the EU limits for nitrogen oxide (40 micrograms per cubic meter of air on an annual average), for example on Landshuter Allee (2022: 49 micrograms) and Tegernseer Landstraße (2022: 43 micrograms), Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) had sued and won several times. In order to avoid courts issuing driving bans at their discretion, the city had worked out a compromise with the DUH that provides for a multi-stage driving ban for diesel vehicles. The first stage is already in force. Since 1 February, diesels with the Euro 4 emissions standard have no longer been allowed to drive on and in the area of the Mittlerer Ring – there are exceptions for craftsmen and residents, for example. In this way, the city wants to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels. However, if the first stage is not sufficient, diesels with standard 5 should also be excluded from October, and in a next stage from 1 April 2024, the exemptions would then also be dropped. But maybe it doesn't have to come to that.
According to the city's environmental department, the measured value on Landshuter Allee has already improved significantly. The route is considered to be the road most polluted with nitrogen oxides in Germany and now has a load of 44 micrograms in the first quarter. The Tegernseer Landstraße is 42 micrograms. "The clean air plan is working," says Mayor Katrin Habenschaden (Greens). The development of the values gives reason to hope that the next stages of the driving bans will not be necessary. "That would be very desirable. The decisive factor now is how the values develop in the coming months and whether the positive trend is confirmed."
Diesel driving ban in Munich: Green City Councillor Roth speaks of a positive trend
Green City Councillor Florian Roth expressed a similar view: "The results are not yet final, but a positive trend seems to be emerging. If this is confirmed this summer, the city should check whether the second stage of the driving ban can be postponed by a few months if the values are only slightly exceeded." In addition, from his point of view, it would be an option to impose a driving ban on Euro 5 diesel only for Landshuter Allee if the values were not complied with there.
It is questionable whether the bans will generally be maintained. Opponents of the diesel ban had filed several lawsuits against the order with the administrative court, arguing that the ban was "disproportionate. The negotiation is still pending.
