German cities to ban diesel vehicles

A German court has ruled cities can impose driving bans on diesel cars to combat air pollution, a decision that could affect millions of drivers and the powerful motor industry.

The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig rejected an appeal brought by two German states against lower court decisions that suggested driving bans for particularly dirty diesel cars would be effective and should be considered.

Environmental campaigners had sued dozens of German cities, arguing they have a duty to cut excessive air pollution to protect people’s health. Diesel cars emit nitrogen oxide, or NOx, which causes respiratory illnesses and thousands of premature deaths annually.

Officials warned it would be an administrative nightmare to enforce bans only on certain vehicles.

Judges said the two cities at the centre of the case – Stuttgart and Dusseldorf – can include diesel bans in their clean air plans but have to ensure that any measures are proportionate to the goal of reducing emissions to the legal limit.

The ruling also foresees transition periods for the introduction of diesel bans. A German news agency reported that any ban in Stuttgart, the home of car maker Daimler, would not come into force until September 1 at the earliest.

In a blow to car owners, presiding judge Andreas Korbmacher said cities will not be required to compensate drivers for being unable to use their diesel vehicles.