Navigating the New Speed Limits: What Drivers Need to Know
Aid decision pending with the Commission
Driving in our country has become a bit more complex lately. New regulations and adjustments to existing laws have left many drivers frustrated, especially with the recent implementation of 30 km/h speed limits for internal combustion engine drivers.
A lawsuit in a Dortmund court has brought some clarity to millions of drivers on the road.
When Speed Limits Meet Opposition
30 km/h zones are increasingly popping up, especially on busy roads marked with "air pollution" signs. For some, they're just a hassle during rush hour traffic, but for one man from Dortmund, they were a real nuisance—he was driving an electric car and felt unfairly slowed down. After all, electric cars don't emit exhaust gases, so how could they pollute the air? As a result, he decided to take his case to court. His argument: electric cars should not be subject to speed limits designed for air purification. Unfortunately for him, the court discarded his lawsuit without a second thought.
Both the Dortmund Regional Court and later the Higher Regional Court of Hamm concluded that the "air pollution" sign is not a special regulation but merely a warning. The speed limit applies regardless of vehicle type. The court's verdict was clear: traffic laws cannot be circumvented based on the type of vehicle a person drives.
A Surprising Twist
As it turns out, the devil is often in the details. While electric cars don't emit exhaust gases, they still produce other harmful substances, such as particulate matter through tire and brake wear. These emissions are influenced by the speed at which a vehicle is driven. Therefore, the speed limits for air purification help reduce fine dust from rubber, not just exhaust gases. Studies show that the slower you drive, the less abrasion is generated. This aspect is becoming increasingly important in environmental policy. So, even without an exhaust pipe, a vehicle can contribute to air pollution. And 30 km/h, as unspectacular as it seems, can make a significant difference.
Additional Perspective:
Air pollution zones in many countries, like those in Wales near industrial areas, impose a 50 mph maximum speed limit on all vehicles to achieve lower emissions overall, regardless of whether they emit exhaust gases or not[5]. Similarly, in London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), speed limits play a vital role in reducing overall emissions across the entire traffic mix, thus improving air quality[5]. Although pure-electric electric vehicles (EVs) are exempt from charges in zones like ULEZ due to their zero tailpipe emissions, they are still subject to speed regulations designed for comprehensive pollution management[2].
In essence, speed limits in air pollution zones tackle multiple sources of pollution and traffic conditions, not only tailpipe emissions, so electric cars must abide by these limits, despite not producing exhaust gases directly.
- The car-maintenance costs for electric vehicles can still include tire and brake wear, leading to the production of particulate matter.
- The automotive industry is not exempt from the effects of air pollution zones, as both conventional and electric cars face speed limits aimed at reducing emissions.
- Despite not emitting exhaust gases, electric cars must follow the speed limits imposed for air purification, especially in areas like London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
- The lifestyle of electric car drivers, which once excluded them from speed limits based on their emissions-free status, is now impacted by the need to maintain lower speeds for car-maintenance and environmental reasons.
