I just read an article in Heft 16 of "Auto Motor Und Sport" magazine (dated 18.7.2007) on page 120 all about the new Umweltzones that some German cities (the big ones basically) will start introducing at some point soon (the date wasn't clear). It all depends on what car you have, whether it's petrol/diesel, has a catalytic converter of a certain type, has a particle filter and some other criteria.
Has anyone read this article, or knows about the new rules and regs? My German reading is usually sufficient, but when it comes to complex stuff with rules and regulations, I often find it difficult to figure out if they're saying something is allowed, or if it's not allowed. I know what they're talking about, but not the critical end result of it.
Right now I'm looking to upgrade my 1996 Mercedes E280 (Benziner) to something like a 2002-2004 BMW 530 d (Diesel). I've noticed that a lot of the used car werbungs, on autoscout.de and in the aforementioned magazine, show DPF (Diesel Partikel Filter) which has to be a good thing, but I don't know if it means anything useful in terms of these new rules.
I'd hate to go and buy something only to find out I should have looked into this Umweltzone thing a bit more beforehand, hence here I am.
Any advice from anyone that understands what it's all about ? I'd love some general advice like steer clear of anything > 2.5 Litre engine, any diesel older than 2 years, or anything that needs more than 10L/100km. Any such thing would be great to know.
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New city restrictions on car exhaust emissions
Driving only permitted if correct filter installed
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feinstaubverordnung
You have to figure out, which of four "Schadstoffklassen" your car is, by looking at some code in your registration. I guess it´s up to the city authorities which areas they declare a "Umweltzone" and what "Schadstoffklassen will be allowed to drive inside.
You have to figure out, which of four "Schadstoffklassen" your car is, by looking at some code in your registration. I guess it´s up to the city authorities which areas they declare a "Umweltzone" and what "Schadstoffklassen will be allowed to drive inside.
Thanks for that link. I think I'm starting to understand it now. Here's what I *think* I've learned.
From some point in 2008, the cities/regions shown HERE will introduce these "Umwelt Zones". You'll see a sign on the street at the beginning of such a zone and if you're not meant to be in there, then turn back. If you go in anyway (without a Plakatte) then you're risking a €40 fine and one point on your licence. There will be three possible levels of restriction in the Umwelt zones. Lowest level (which let's the most cars through) is red/yellow/green. This means that whichever colour plakatte you've got, you're allowed in. The next highest level is yellow/green (which means red plakatte cars can't come in). The strictest level is green only. So if you're given a green plakatte then you never need to worry about these zones, you're allowed into all of them.
What car you have determines which plakatte you get. If your car is old and has no catalytic converter, or is an old diesel, then you don't get a plakatte at all unless you write to some office in Berlin for special dispenation. No plakatte means no entry.
If your car is petrol engined and has a (regulated) catalytic converter, then you get a green plakatte (the best one). Diesel engined cars with a particle filter also get into the green class. The yellow class (2nd best) is for diesels that don't have a particle filter but otherwise are pretty good with their emissions. The red (third class) is for diesels that have only just been good enough to get a plakatte. There are no yellow or green plakattes for petrol engines. You either don't get a plakatte at all (old, no cat) or you get a green one.
I think pretty much any petrol car under 15 years old is likely to be worthy of a green. Any diesel under 10 years old will get at least a red or yellow, and under 3 years old has a good chance of getting a green.
According to that map of planned Umweltzones, they're only considering red/yellow/green zones to begin with. No yellow/green or green only zones yet.
That's how I've interpreted that wikipedia link. If anyone has anything else to add, maybe we should have this re-written and put into a FAQ entry. It should probably be re-written by someone who knows what they're talking about, I just figured all this stuff out in the last hour and could have got some of it wrong.
From some point in 2008, the cities/regions shown HERE will introduce these "Umwelt Zones". You'll see a sign on the street at the beginning of such a zone and if you're not meant to be in there, then turn back. If you go in anyway (without a Plakatte) then you're risking a €40 fine and one point on your licence. There will be three possible levels of restriction in the Umwelt zones. Lowest level (which let's the most cars through) is red/yellow/green. This means that whichever colour plakatte you've got, you're allowed in. The next highest level is yellow/green (which means red plakatte cars can't come in). The strictest level is green only. So if you're given a green plakatte then you never need to worry about these zones, you're allowed into all of them.
What car you have determines which plakatte you get. If your car is old and has no catalytic converter, or is an old diesel, then you don't get a plakatte at all unless you write to some office in Berlin for special dispenation. No plakatte means no entry.
If your car is petrol engined and has a (regulated) catalytic converter, then you get a green plakatte (the best one). Diesel engined cars with a particle filter also get into the green class. The yellow class (2nd best) is for diesels that don't have a particle filter but otherwise are pretty good with their emissions. The red (third class) is for diesels that have only just been good enough to get a plakatte. There are no yellow or green plakattes for petrol engines. You either don't get a plakatte at all (old, no cat) or you get a green one.
I think pretty much any petrol car under 15 years old is likely to be worthy of a green. Any diesel under 10 years old will get at least a red or yellow, and under 3 years old has a good chance of getting a green.
According to that map of planned Umweltzones, they're only considering red/yellow/green zones to begin with. No yellow/green or green only zones yet.
That's how I've interpreted that wikipedia link. If anyone has anything else to add, maybe we should have this re-written and put into a FAQ entry. It should probably be re-written by someone who knows what they're talking about, I just figured all this stuff out in the last hour and could have got some of it wrong.
Also discussed here:
Fine dust particles, traffic pollution, and health
and here:
Munich plans ban of highly pollutive vehicles
Currently the easiest way of checking your car is probably the ADAC website, in combination with having your Fahrzeugschein to hand. Click Benziner (petrol) or Diesel, depending on what you've got and then click Vergrössern to see exactly what numbers you need off your Fahrzeugschein. Then click on those numbers to get the full story on what level of sticker you can get.
I was able to get level 4 for my relatively new petrol car, and the dealer did it for me when I had it in for service. Cost me €1 as a special offer, but since I'm moving outside of Munich city I'll probably have to get another one when the number plate changes.
Fine dust particles, traffic pollution, and health
and here:
Munich plans ban of highly pollutive vehicles
Currently the easiest way of checking your car is probably the ADAC website, in combination with having your Fahrzeugschein to hand. Click Benziner (petrol) or Diesel, depending on what you've got and then click Vergrössern to see exactly what numbers you need off your Fahrzeugschein. Then click on those numbers to get the full story on what level of sticker you can get.
I was able to get level 4 for my relatively new petrol car, and the dealer did it for me when I had it in for service. Cost me €1 as a special offer, but since I'm moving outside of Munich city I'll probably have to get another one when the number plate changes.
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