Low emission zones in Baden-Wuerttemberg

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LOW EMISSION ZONES KEEP AIR PURE
A N D P R O T E C T H E A LT H
Good air quality is in the interest of us all, and serves first and
foremost to protect human health. In our mobile society, we are all
contributing to the high concentrations of fine dust (PM10) and
nitrogen dioxide in environmentally stressed areas adjoining roads.
On the other hand we are frequently affected ourselves, if we
happen to live next to a very busy thoroughfare. Keeping air pure is
therefore a task for the community.
Low emission zones in
Baden-Württemberg
To improve this situation – above all in areas where critical values
are exceeded – we have worked out 17 pure air schemes and action
plans to date for particularly stressed regions of Baden-Württemberg.
Low emission zones are a central feature of these plans, involving a
ban on vehicles with high emission levels. This may appear restrictive, but it is unavoidable. Low emission zones make an indispensable contribution to clean air – and to better health, above all – for
the people who live, work or go to school in the main regions
affected.
Tanja Gönner
Minister for the Environment of the
Federal State of Baden-Württemberg
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Low emission zones
WHEN DO LOW EMISSION ZONES BECOME EFFEC-
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM IN A LOW EMISSION
T I V E , A N D W H E R E A R E T H E Y L O C AT E D ?
ZONE?
Low emission zones have been established in the following cities of
A new traffic sign has been incorporated in the Road Traffic
Baden-Württemberg: Stuttgart, Mannheim, Reutlingen, Ludwigs-
Regulations to designate low emission zones. An additional sign
burg, Tübingen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Leonberg, Ilsfeld and Pleidels-
indicates the coloured stickers vehicles must have to enter a low
heim. From January 1st 2009 further low emission zones come into
emission zone.
force in: Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Ulm, Pforzheim, Herrenberg and
Mühlacker.
W H AT V E H I C L E S A R E A L L O W E D T O E N T E R A L O W
EMISSION ZONE?
Only vehicles are allowed to enter a low emission zone that conform
to certain exhaust emission standards and can show their conformity
by displaying a coloured sticker on the windshield. Vehicles with
particularly high emission levels will not be given a sticker. Such
vehicles may not enter the low emission zone at all.
I S T H E B A N F O R A L I M I T E D P E R I O D O N LY ?
L O W E M I S S I O N Z O N E – W H AT D O E S I T M E A N ?
With a view to permanent improvement of the air quality, traffic
Low emission zones are clearly delimited, generally urban areas
restrictions in low emission zones are imposed for an indefinite
where a ban on vehicles with high emission levels applies.
period. The restrictions apply whether or not the current level of air
Concentrations of fine dust and nitrogen dioxide in excess of the
pollution on certain days is high or low.
critical values occur in Baden-Württemberg only in areas adjoining
roads. Consequently road traffic is a factor of major importance
W H AT H A P P E N S I F I E N T E R A L O W E M I S S I O N Z O N E
in the endeavour to provide clean air. The quality of air can be
W I T H O U T A U T H O R I S AT I O N ?
improved by restricting traffic in low emission zones.
Driving in a low emission zone without a sticker (except in cases
where exceptional permission has been granted) will cost you a fine
of 40 Euros, and will also earn you a point in Flensburg.
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Stickers
WHY STICKERS?
W H AT K I N D O F S T I C K E R D O E S M Y C A R G E T ?
The stickers serve to label vehicles in accordance with their emission
This will be based on the emis-
levels. This facilitates the control of traffic restrictions for vehicles
sions code (Emissionsschlüssel-
with poor exhaust emission values. This labelling scheme applies
nummer) which is entered in
throughout Germany and involves four emissions groups based on
your vehicle documents; if you
the European exhaust emission standards (the 'Euro standards').
have documents showing that a
The stickers show the number of the emissions group and come in
particle filter has been retrofit-
different colours. Vehicles belonging to emissions group 1 will not
ted, this may also be a relevant
be issued a sticker.
factor. On old certificates of registration, the code is entered in
the field marked 'Code for 1'
('Schlüsselnummer zu 1') – see
illustration above; in the new
registration certificate format it
Only vehicles carrying one of these stickers, or those that have been
granted an exemption, may enter the low emission zones in BadenWürttemberg. In the next phase of the scheme starting on 1 January
will be found in field 14.1 – see illustration on right.
Stickers
Petrol engine
Passenger
car
Diesel engine
Lorries/busses Passenger
goods vehicles car
2012, the ban on driving in low emission zones will be extended to
vehicles with a red sticker as well. More stringent restrictions on
Lorries/busses
goods vehicles
25 bis 29
35, 41, 71
20 bis 22
33, 43, 53
60, 61
30, 31, 36
37, 42,
44 bis 52,
72
34, 44, 54
70, 71
32, 33, 38,
39, 43,
53 bis 70,
73 bis 75
35, 45, 55,
80, 81, 83,
84, 90, 91
vehicles with yellow or green stickers are not envisaged in BadenWürttemberg at present.
01, 02, 14,
16,
18 bis 70,
71 bis 75,
77
30 bis 55,
60, 61, 70,
71, 80, 81,
83, 84, 90,
91
vehicles complying with standards Euro 5 or 6
Based on the emissions code, the following listing will show you what
kind of sticker your vehicle qualifies for. If you have had an exhaust
treatment system retrofitted, like a diesel soot filter for example, you
may qualify for a better emissions group.
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W H E R E D O I G E T M Y S T I C K E R A N D W H AT D O E S I T
FOREIGN VEHICLES
COST?
Vehicles registered in countries other than Germany likewise require a
Stickers may be obtained from the vehicle licensing authorities of
sticker. This will be issued in accordance with the European emissions
urban and district councils, as well as from authorised centres that
standard on which the vehicle's registration is based. If this is not
are entitled to test exhaust emissions. These include qualified te-
shown in the vehicle documents or by any other documentary
sting organisations like Dekra, GTÜ, TÜV and other technical test
evidence, a sticker will be issued in accordance with the original
centres, as well as garages authorised to test exhaust emissions (of
registration date of the vehicle. Foreign vehicles can obtain stickers
which there are now more than 5,600 in Baden-Württemberg). To
from the same issuing authorities referred to above.
obtain a sticker you will need to have your vehicle papers, though at
some licensing authorities it may be enough just to give the number
In addition to this, stickers can be ordered by post, by e-mail or when
of your car's licence plate. A sticker may be acquired anywhere in
making a hotel booking. You will need to submit a copy of the vehicle
the Federal Republic of Germany and will apply indefinitely in any
papers or another official document showing the original registration
low emission zone in Germany unless the vehicle’s licence plate
date and the type of the vehicle (diesel engine / petrol engine,
number is changed. The price of a sticker will be set by the issuing
passenger car / lorry). Stickers also can be ordered from abroad at the
authorities themselves. As a rule it will cost something like 5 to 8
websites of the authorised testing organisations: www.dekra.de,
Euros.
www.tuev-sued.de and www.gtue.de.
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Retrofitting...
...Tax incentives
W H AT S H O U L D B E D O N E W I T H V E H I C L E S T H AT R U N
W H AT C O N D I T I O N S D O I N E E D T O M E E T T O Q U A L I F Y
ON DIESEL?
F O R TA X B E N E F I T S ?
Retrofitting makes an important contribution to air purity and the
There are tax incentives for the retrofitting of particle reduction
protection of health, as the emission of fine dust from a diesel
systems in passenger vehicles that run on diesel. The installation
passenger car can be reduced by as much as 30 to 60 percent. A
must be carried out in the period from 01.01.2006 to 31.12.2009.
wide range of retrofitting options are available for many car models.
Vehicles with a first-time registration date later than 31.12.2006 will
You can find out whether your vehicle is suitable for retrofitting by
not qualify for benefits. The retrofitting must achieve a reduced
entering data from your certificate of registration online at www.fein-
level of particle emissions as defined by the Road Traffic Licensing
staubplakette.de or www.feinstaub.gtue.de. These sites also show
Regulations (Strassenverkehrs-Zulassungsordnung).
which sticker you can expect to obtain as a result of retrofitting. For
more detailed information and advice about the technical options,
HOW MUCH DO THE BENEFITS COME TO?
please consult your local garage.
If you retrofit a passenger car running on diesel with a particle filter,
you qualify for a one-off motor vehicle tax credit to the amount of
W H AT A B O U T V E H I C L E S T H AT R U N O N P E T R O L ?
330 Euros. The vehicle will be exempt from motor vehicle tax until
Vehicles running on petrol with a three-way catalytic converter will
the waived tax liability reaches 330 Euros. Vehicles that are in any
as a rule be given a green sticker or a special exemption. Vehicles
case exempt from motor vehicle tax, in whole or in part, will not
without a three-way catalytic converter or equipped with a catalytic
receive tax benefits or can only qualify for a percentage.
converter without lambda probe may obtain a green sticker if a
three-way catalytic converter is retrofitted. Retrofitting will result
HOW DO I GET THE BENEFIT?
automatically in reclassification of the vehicle in terms of the
You should have the vehicle retrofitted by a garage that is authorised
exhaust standards and so reduce the motor vehicle tax to be paid.
to carry out exhaust emission testing (Abgasuntersuchung / AU)
and obtain an acceptance certificate for presentation to the vehicle
licensing authority. If the retrofitting has been carried out by another
garage, an acceptance test must be carried out by an officially
qualified expert, and an appropriate certificate provided. The vehicle
licensing authority will make the corresponding entries in the field
'Remarks' ('Bemerkungen') of the vehicle documents, showing the
level or class of reduced particle emissions, the type of filter, etc.).
The emissions group of the vehicle (e.g. Euro 2) is on the whole
unlikely to change.
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Exceptions from road traffic restrictions
W H AT E X C E P T I O N S A P P LY G E N E R A L LY ?
• Trips made to provide the population with necessary services, in
In accordance with the labelling regulations, certain vehicles may as
connection with the maintenance and repair of crucial technical
a general rule enter low emission zones without a sticker. These in-
facilities, remedial work on damaged buildings (including damage
clude mobile machines and equipment, driven engines, agricultural
to water, gas and electrical systems) or for the provision of social
and forestry tractors, two-wheeled and three-wheeled motor vehi-
services or nursing care, as well as special vehicles like cranes,
cles, ambulances and doctors' cars displaying 'Emergency medical
heavy load transporters and special tractor vehicles belonging to
services' ('Arzt im Notfalleinsatz'), vehicles carrying exceptionally
travelling circuses, exhibitions and the like.
handicapped persons, vehicles with special privileges based on § 35
Likewise exempt are trips made by vintage cars without a vintage car
of the Road Traffic Regulations (Strassenverkehrsordnung / StVO)
licence plate, vehicles running on petrol with a three-way catalytic
(police, disaster control vehicles, vehicles belonging to the armed
converter and with codes 03, 04, 09 or 11, as well as test drives and
services) and vintage cars with a vintage car licence plate.
vehicle transfer operations with a red short-term licence plate.
In addition it is possible in important individual cases to apply for
W H AT F U RT H E R E X C E P T I O N S A P P LY I N B A D E N - W Ü RT-
an authorisation for special trips, e.g. for regularly required medical
TEMBERG?
visits (for example, to dialysis patients), trips made by shift workers
Based on the exceptions scheme that applies throughout Baden-
where no local public transport is available or trips made with the
Württemberg, the fundamental principle of 'retrofitting before ex-
object of keeping manufacturing and production processes going.
emption' is the first thing to be taken into account. An exception
Here again it is an essential condition that the vehicle cannot be
will only be made to this general requirement for vehicles registered
retrofitted.
in the name of the actual owner before November 1st 2007, if it is
not possible, in technical terms, to retrofit the vehicle, or if the cost
Individual exceptions apply as a rule to all low emission zones in
of retrofitting would exceed the value of the vehicle itself.
Baden-Württemberg.
If a vehicle cannot be retrofitted, the following trips are generally
W H E R E C A N I O B TA I N A N E X E M P T I O N ?
exempt from the traffic restrictions in low emission zones for a
Exemptions are issued by the authorities of the cities of Stuttgart,
transition period until December 31 2009:
Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Ulm and Pforzheim as well as by
• Trips made to supply the population with necessary goods, in
the administrations of the following districts: Böblingen (for Leon-
particular deliveries to food retailers, to pharmacies, hospitals and
berg and Herrenberg), Enzkreis (for Mühlacker), Heilbronn (for Ils-
other such public institutions, as well as deliveries to weekly or
feld), Ludwigsburg (for Ludwigsburg and Pleidelsheim), Ostalbkreis
one-off markets.
(for Schwäbisch Gmünd), Reutlingen and Tübingen.
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Further information
I N F O R M AT I O N A B O U T L O W E M I S S I O N Z O N E S
You can find further information relating to air purification schemes,
action plans and low emission zones at the website of the Ministry
for the Environment of Baden-Württemberg:
www.um.baden-wuerttemberg.de
under 'Umweltzonen und Nachrüstung' ['Low emission zones and
retrofitting']
or from the regional government offices of the Federal State:
www.rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de
I N F O R M AT I O N O N S T I C K E R S A N D R E T R O F I T T I N G
O P T I O N S M AY B E F O U N D AT
www.feinstaubplakette.de and
www.feinstaub.gtue.de
R E G I S T R AT I O N FA C I L I T Y F O R V E H I C L E S W I T H O U T
R E T R O F I T T I N G S Y S T E M AVA I L A B L E Y E T
www.katundfiltersuche.de
PUBLISHED BY THE
Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg
[Ministry for the Environment of Baden-Württemberg]
Kernerplatz 9
70182 Stuttgart, Germany
Status: December 2008