German top court allows cities to introduce diesel driving bans

The German government and five so-called model cities in the country have agreed on a scheme to tackle air pollution caused by vehicle exhaust fumes, the German environment ministry (BMUB) says in a press release. The proposals made by the cities Bonn, Essen, Herrenberg, Mannheim and Reutlingen include financial incentives for users of public transport services and bicycle hire systems, the BMUB says. The five cities have been chosen as they represent different levels of pollution with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and therefore could serve as showcases for improving air quality in some 70 German cities that grapple with excessive pollution levels, the ministry argues. City representatives said citizens who “verifiably” abstain from using a car could receive discounts on public transport, car sharing and bicycle hire systems. Depending on local conditions, driving bans for lorries may also be an option, the BMBU says. According to the ministry, the federal government will financially support initiatives that can be implemented in the short term “and have a measurable positive effect on air quality”.
In order to prevent being sued by the EU commission over excessive air pollution levels in inner cities, the German government in early February proposed offering public transport free of charge in the model cities. It was later accused of “backtracking” as it added that no blanket introduction of free public transport had been intended.

Read the press release in German here.

For background, read the CLEW article German cities might test free public transport to cut pollution.

It is surprising that the would-be government coalition partners of Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democrats (SPD) did not agree to push for a fundamental reform of Germany’s energy taxes and levies system in the coalition talks, because many negotiators had advocated for it beforehand, writes Andreas Mihm in an opinion piece in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The parties had instead agreed to “regulate details” and introduce more ambitious climate targets. The government aims to largely electrify all sectors, but makes the use of power less attractive by upholding the current taxes and levies, writes Mihm. As many provisions in the coalition agreement lack precision and detail, the next energy minister – possibly the Merkel ally and current Chief of the Chancellery Peter Altmaier – will have quite a bit of leeway, writes Mihm.

Read the opinion piece (behind paywall) in FAZ’s e-paper here.

For background, read the CLEW factsheet Germany ponders how to finance renewables expansion in the future and dossier The next German government and the energy transition.

Expanding electric transport could be used to exploit existing power grid capacity, if the right smart grid technologies are deployed and combined with the inherent flexibility in when electric vehicles (EVs) can be charged, writes the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) in an analysis. “If we get pricing and technology right, EVs could leverage the large amount of unused existing capacity, from the local distribution system right up to central station power plants,” writes RAP. Assessing existing capacity would forestall unnecessary investment and, in so doing, offer benefits to all consumers, not just those who choose to adopt EVs, writes RAP.

Find the analysis in English here.

For background, read the CLEW factsheet How can Germany keep the lights on in a renewable energy future?