On Wednesday 19 June, the European Commission approved three German measures to support the retrofitting of municipal and commercial diesel vehicles in order to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
With an overall budget of around €431 million, these schemes are targeted at more than 60 municipalities where national limits for nitrogen oxide emissions were exceeded in 2017. The costs of both retrofitting and installing the systems will be covered by these schemes.
More than 110,000 vehicles are expected to be affected, which should significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in a very short period of time and improve air quality and public health in cities.
Noting that these measures were in line with last year's Commission Communication entitled 'A Europe that protects: Clean air for all' (see EUROPE 12022/8), and that they would contribute to the EU environmental goals without unduly distorting competition in the internal market, the Commission considered them to be compatible with EU state aid rules. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)