Diesel cars can be banned, says court

Leipzig : German cities can ban the most heavily polluting diesel cars from their streets, a court ruled yesterday, a move likely to be mirrored in other parts of Europe.

The ban in the birthplace of the modern automobile is a new blow for automakers, and an embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, which has come under fire for its close ties to the car industry, and had lobbied against a ban.

Merkel noted that the ruling did not affect all drivers in Germany, but said the government would discuss with regions and municipalities how to proceed.

The court on Tuesday ordered the German cities of Stuttgart and Duesseldorf to amend their anti-pollution plans, saying that city bans can be implemented even without nationwide
rules.

The court said that Stuttgart - the birthplace of the combustion engine and home of Mercedes-maker Daimler - should consider gradually imposing a year-round ban for all older diesel models, as well as some even older gasoline models. (Reuters)