 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Germany begins ban on polluting cars in city centres
Berlin (AFP) Jan 1, 2008 Three German cities, including the capital Berlin, began implementing a new air pollution system on Tuesday that bans the dirtiest vehicles from their centres. Drivers in Berlin, Cologne and Hanover are now required to display a coloured badge showing the level of pollution caused by their vehicle, with a scale of red, yellow and green. Some vehicles, notably an estimated 1.7 million old diesel cars and vans, will not qualify for even the most polluting red badge and will be prohibited from driving in central areas. Drivers without a badge caught in the city centre will face a 40-euro (60-dollar) fine and will be docked a point on their driving license. The system is to be extended to about 20 German cities in the course of the year, including Stuttgart and Munich. It applies to all vehicles, including those registered outside Germany, but some officials have indicated that foreign cars will be treated with leniency. In Berlin, city authorities have decided not to punish errant drivers until the end of January. The reform "is the most serious attempt until now to get to grips with the most serious source of air pollution, which causes 75,000 premature deaths per year," said German green group Deutsche Umwelthilfe. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Car Technology at SpaceMart.com
SAIC Motor merger with Nanjing Auto aimed at global markets
Beijing (AFP) Dec 30, 2007The merger of two of China's state-run auto makers comes as its domestic market booms and as the quickly accelerating nation gears up to compete with top global brands, industry officials said. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
