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Diesel cars banned from entering the city – everything you need to know
(photo: pxhere)
Since driving combustion vehicles became too popular, the number of cars produced continues to increase. Slowly, problems began to arise with the condition of the atmospheric air that we all breathe.
Why did someone come up with the idea to introduce a ban on diesel cars entering cities? More and more cars, worsening air quality and recurring health problems. Still, no one made much of it. Until smog appeared, now not only over large cities. So it's time to fight it. It turned out that despite the fact that internal combustion vehicles are divided into petrol and very fuel-efficient ones diesels, it is diesel engines that pollute the environment and air the most. Currently, many countries have introduced very strict restrictions on diesel vehicles in major metropolises and historic cities. This is what they come up with special clean transport zones. Let's check which popular cities in the European Union have entered the path of war with diesel-powered vehicles and have a diesel entry ban in them?
Why is diesel so harmful to the environment?
Diesel engines, unlike gasoline engines, are popular due to their incredible economy in terms of fuel consumption. That's why they are very popular among drivers. Just like any other combustion engine, they emit exhaust gases, which, however, differ in the content of environmentally harmful substances. You can feel it even with your own nose.
Also read: How to drive a diesel? A guide for diesel car owners
Yes, the exhaust fumes don't smell like violets, but it's about something else. Diesel exhaust gases are clearly "heavier" than gasoline exhaust gases. This is a consequence of almost the entire Mendeleev table containing harmful substances whose names are even difficult to pronounce. Moreover, they contain carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and a whole host of poisons (in small quantities). While there were few cars on the roads, this was not so noticeable, but since traffic has increased, it has become an increasingly pressing problem.
Exhaust gas purity standards as a recipe for clean air
Currently, in Europe, a standard called Euro 6 protects the purity of exhaust gases. This is a very strict standard that does not allow motor vehicles whose exhaust gases do not meet certain requirements to drive. This is also why diesel vehicles are banned. This needs to be explained a bit. Not all European cities have problems with the movement of vehicles whose engines do not meet the Euro 6 standard. In fact, even with cars from the 90s, you can cover European routes without fear of having to stop on the road or having to change the route.
See: You often drive on reserve - check why you shouldn't do it
However, as Europe fights against air purity, some cities have gone a step further and prohibit motor vehicles that do not meet the Euro 6 standard from entering their areas. Diesel engines are the hardest to achieve this standard, so you need to be careful because driving in cities where this is required, an old vehicle may result in a fine.
Ban on diesel cars entering the city?
It is worth remembering for the future which cities we cannot enter with diesel cars and which ones have restrictions.
- Paris is one of the first cities from 2017 to completely ban diesel cars manufactured earlier than 2001. Expensive fines do not encourage people to break this ban.
- Berlin has gone even further by banning the entry of all motor vehicles that do not meet the Euro 6 standard.
- London, on the other hand, is a slightly more liberal city that tolerates diesels that meet at most the Euro 4 standard, but older ones have to take into account significant costs.
That's not all, because similar bans also apply in other European cities. This mainly concerns cities to which tourists often flock, and these are:
- stuttgart,
- Venice,
- Brussels,
- Rome
As you can see, the so-called protection period for owners of old and polluting diesels is ending very quickly. Fortunately, these prohibitions do not apply to so many cities yet. Unfortunately, these are the ones that attract crowds of tourists the most. Is that good? Certainly yes, because there is probably no person on earth who would like to breathe air full of exhaust fumes all the time.
What about tourists whose diesel cars won't enter the city?
There is no reason to worry. Both metropolises and tourist cities have interesting offers for tourists and excursionists. When a city in good faith forbids the entry of old diesel cars, it does not mean that it leaves their owners in the lurch. First of all, it is always possible to use more ecological means of transport, such as the metro or even bicycle rental.
If it is not possible to explore the city on foot and you need a car, then you can use an alternative. Cities offer their services in terms of access to car rental companies. Rental companies provide their cars for a day or several at very affordable prices. Moreover, there are always plenty of taxis available, as in every city.
The conclusions are obvious. If the car does not meet such high standards, there is no need to worry about an alternative.
