Old German research: "Environmental zones do not work and cause an increase in nitrogen dioxide"

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Fraunhofer Institut, a German research agency, already examined the effects of the environmental zones in Ulm in 2011. Those responsible then established that the air quality had not improved due to the setting of the zones. “In addition, the generation of nitrogen dioxide is only increasing. That is the toll that is paid for all measures that are taken with regard to reducing emissions, "it was determined at the time.

The results were remarkable at the time, and were not obtained by measurements alone. Its advocates have always assumed that environmental zones would cause reduced nitrogen dioxide exposure. But according to the latest published results, the opposite is true. The main findings in brief: environmental zones do not afford a demonstrable contribution to the reduction of PM levels. It has been known for some time that the environmental zone stickers were developed with a view to the emission of soot particles or fine dust. “The regulations were not applied for other pollutants. With an increase in nitrogen dioxide as a result.

Increase in nitrogen dioxide

There were and are technical reasons for this. Diesel cars and light commercial vehicles with the Euro 5 emission standard and Euro V (green sticker) emit less particulate matter. However, due to the presence of a particulate filter, they generate considerably more nitrogen dioxide than the old maligned diesel vehicles. It also turned out that access restrictions caused an increase in nitrogen dioxide, which is just two percent higher than in a situation where no access ban would apply. As said, installing a particulate filter turned out to be counterproductive. And that is still the case. “A reduction in particulate matter emissions is currently only interchangeable with increased nitrogen dioxide emissions,” Doktor Matthias Klingner of the Fraunhofer Institute noted in 2011.

Flow through leads to a major reduction

Furthermore, almost six years ago, the institute suggested that blocking 1.100 large transport vehicles is just as effective as blocking 30% of the total fleet in Ulm. A good flow is also important. In Rotterdam, that idea has also been around for some time in the environmental zone opposition. In the autumn of 2011, the Fraunhofer Institut calculated that a good throughflow would lead to a reduction in emissions of between 29% and 55%. "Those are solutions, as opposed to the environmental zones that are maintained at all costs."

Environmental lobby leads to harmful consequences

More and more signals are pointing in the direction of erroneous decisions by those in charge of politics, who “use the wrong tools for the right goals.” In the Netherlands, the sad results of the environmental zone have been demonstrated in both Rotterdam and Utrecht. Recently it appeared that the renewed opening for gasoline vehicles in Rotterdam led to a reduction in emissions, despite the increased traffic volume.

Almost six years later ...

And just to return to Germany today: a decrease in the number of diesels led to an increase in CO2 emissions. The investigations, results and developments of recent times show one case strikingly: the environmental lobby uses unfounded principles. And on that basis, those in the Netherlands and abroad take widespread measures to waste community money. Then to maintain them. The arguments have led to incorrect implementation and enforcement. Count your profit. Since the research in 2011, the attitude of environmental groups and politicians, who were responsible for the implementation of environmental measures, has not changed.

Source: Augsburger Allgemeine
Translated and edited: Auto Motor Klassiek, Erik van Putten

 

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