Old diesel cars responsible for high nitrogen dioxide pollution in German cities

Diesel cars, and older models in particular, are responsible for high levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in German city centres, according to Federal Environment Agency (UBA). 57 percent of measuring stations close to traffic showed pollution exceeding limits, according to the UBA’s 2016 air quality report. There has been only a slight drop in pollution since 2010, the UBA says in a press release. “Regarding health protection, it is not acceptable that communities have no way of banning diesel cars with high emissions, for example, from polluted inner cities,” UBA president Maria Krautzberger said. 2016 also saw ozone levels exceeding limits at a fifth of all measuring stations. This was in part caused by ozone precursors like nitrogen oxides.

Find the press release and additional material in German here.

For background read the CLEW dossiers The energy transition and Germany’s transport sector and The energy transition and climate change.