One effective method has been through creating Environmental zones and Emission control through Environmental Stickers/Badges. These have been introduced in various countries in Europe under the EU directive on fine dust and Nitrogen Oxides. Environment badges/stickers have been introduced that are allotted and affixed on vehicles with particle filters to reduce emission of fine dust and nitrogen oxides.

 

Austria

Six out of nine states in Austria have set up regulated environment zones with the aim to reduce air pollution. Heavy vehicles especially transporter trucks with Euro standard 0 and 1, that generate maximum pollution, need requisite environment badges/stickers to be allowed entry into environment zones and highways. The stickers in 6 colors include the chassis number, the vehicle class and fuel type stamped on the sticker, as well as an embossed control number. It is planned to further include passenger transport, cars and buses under the same regulation.

 

Germany

For over a decade, Green Environment Stickers have been mandatory in the designated low emission zones for vehicles. The stickers come in three different colours, red, yellow and green, depending on the class of vehicles. Strict rules ensure that entry into almost all German cities is allowed only to vehicles with the green environmental sticker. A missing sticker causes a traffic violation and penalty. Since 2018, additional zones have been added, barring older diesel vehicles from entering certain routes and areas. Electric vehicles with special E-stickers enjoy privileges such as free parking and use of bus lanes.

 

France

Certificat qualité de l'Air Environment Stickers obligatory on all vehicles in France, come in six categories and colours, depending on the year of registration, energy efficiency and vehicle emissions. Designated Environment zones can be either permanent or temporary based on air quality parameters. Temporary zones are given the need based regulatory status, depending on air pollution peaks.

 

Most European countries have similar regulations that have contributed to cleaner air. Emissions and air pollutants have thus been reduced with promotion of new energy-efficient vehicles and phasing out of old and polluting vehicles.

 

Sources and References:

https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/urban_mobility/urban_mobility_actions/green_zones_en

https://www.green-zones.eu/en/

https://www.umwelt-pickerl.at/en/environmental-zones-in-austria.html

 

Image Credits:

https://www.dcvelocity.com/ext/resources/images/articles/2010/201012/20101222green_transport.jpg?t=1576511282&width=1080