Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke wants to change the rules in the Danish environmental zones so that certain visits within the zones no longer attract stalls for diesel cars without particle filters.
Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke wants to change the rules for the Danish environmental zones. In particular, the rules in Aalborg and other cities must be revised so that certain exceptions will be possible in the future.
Today, the rules mean that diesel cars without particle filters may not enter environmental zones – not even in emergency situations such as emergency delivery or escape to a crisis centre. Violation results in a fine of DKK 1,500.
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This is quick to criticize from several sides, and therefore a new bill is currently being debated in the Folketing. The bill suggests that exceptions can be granted for emergency roundabouts and roundabouts for, among other things, crisis centres.
– It is crucial that all Danes have access to our hospitals, regardless of the car they have, says Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke.
Main points of the bill:
- Exceptions may be granted for transport to a hospital or specialist doctor.
- Exceptions also include transportation to crisis or substance abuse centers.
- For the mentioned exceptions, it is not necessary to have a prior agreement, and there is no requirement to retrofit a particle filter.
- Exceptions can be registered up to two days after crossing in environmental zones.
- The Danish Environmental Agency will have the opportunity to demand documentation at random sample checks.
The proposed changes aim to ensure that traffic in emergencies and other critical situations is not impeded by the environmental zone rules, while maintaining the basic goals of reducing air pollution.
In Sweden's capital Stockholm, even stricter environmental zone rules than the Danish ones are far from over. This has happened after protests from several politicians. Blue. The moderates.
– It shows that we as complainants have done our part. It is an election ceiling that is stuck right into the budget. I am proud that together with Stockholm's business community we have won this important partial victory, says opposition councilor Dennis Wedin (M) to Dagens Nyheter.
