German courts allow the prohibition of circulation of diesel-powered cars

German cities are allowed to ban diesel-powered cars to improve air quality after a court ruling.

The German Federal Administrative Court allows municipal governments to impose a ban on the use of motor vehicles to cope with a serious situation in major German cities, especially Stuttgart and Duesseldorf, AFP reported. .

Diesel-powered vehicles are one of the major air pollutants in Germany.(Photo: NewIndian Express).

The ruling was made yesterday after a legal battle between Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) and the municipal authorities of Stuttgart and Duesseldorf. Environmental activists are constantly pressuring government authorities to take action to cope with fine dust particles and toxic nitrogen oxides in the air, emitted by older diesel engines.

Germany's highest administrative court does not impose a ban but allows cities to apply it. This is a shocking decision for governments, automakers and domestic diesel distributors. Chairman of the German Automotive Industry Association, Matthias Wissmann, strongly criticized this decision, saying that air quality standards could still be achieved without a ban.

The government had to speak up, insisting that the ban was not inevitable, to reassure those who protested."The court has not issued a ban but has made it clear about the law. The ban can still be avoided, and my goal is to keep it ineffective , " said Barbara Hendricks, Minister for the Environment. know.

It is estimated that about 10 million cars will be affected throughout Germany. The German Ministry of Transport said it is planning to update traffic regulations if a ban is issued.