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A German court has ruled in favor of banning older diesel vehicles from using its Autobahn. The restrictions will kick in middle of next year. According to German publication DW, certain areas of Gelsenkirchen and Essen’s city center, as well as parts of the A40 highway will restrict vehicles with Euro 5 and lower emissions standards to pass through. The latest ruling comes after a court ruled in favor of diesel bans for some areas of Cologne and Bonn. Mainz, Stuttgart, Aachen, Frankfurt and Berlin are also likely to receive the same diesel bans in 2019. That said, it is unlikely the ban will be city-wide. For example, Reuters reported that for Berlin, vehicles with diesel engines that have Euro 5 and lower emissions standards shouldn’t be allowed to drive on “at least eleven routes" by the end of June 2019.

Three vehicles have so far been registered under the Early Turnover Scheme, which offers owners of old Category 'C' diesel vehicles more incentives to replace their vehicles with cleaner models. The scheme was implemented in April this year by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). It will run for two years. The scheme is meant to get more owners to make the switch earlier to diesel models with at least Euro V diesel standards and reduce pollution. Under the scheme, owners can deregister their Category 'C' diesel vehicles registered before 1 January 2001 and register a replacement Category 'C' vehicle by paying a discounted Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP). Owners will be allowed to transfer their eligible existing vehicle's unused period of its Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to the replacement vehicle. In addition, they get a bonus COE period for their replacement vehicle, depending on the maximum laden weight or MLW of the vehicle. An LTA spokesman said it expects the take-up rate to increase in subsequent months as more Euro V-compliant models become available in the market. The mandatory Euro V emission standards for vehicles will come into effect on 1 January 2014. The spokesman added that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Transport will continue to engage the motor industry in promoting the scheme. Industry players also say that while motorists may be adopting a wait-and-see approach, improving awareness of the scheme's benefits could persuade more motorists to take it up. Raymond Tang, honorary secretary of Singapore Vehicle Traders Association, said: "I think the education part is very important. I think LTA and NEA do the education well, but I think they have to simplify it in a way that consumers will understand more on it." He added: "Most of our petrol stations don't sell Euro V and even though Euro IV diesel can be used, it's better to have Euro V diesel than have side effects." Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singap...red/702412.html