With just 90 words, diesel traffic in Athens and Thessaloniki is freed from today. In just 90 words a gross injustice is corrected, by a law that has been in force since the 90s.
The decision to liberalize diesel traffic in Athens and Thessaloniki was therefore published in the Government Gazette.. That's according to the law 4030 /2011 and the article 50, from today cars with a diesel engine can be registered in Athens and Thessaloniki, while the movement of these cars in the two cities is also allowed. The only requirement is that it has a Euro emission specification engine 5, 6.
Specifically, the article 50 states:
«1. Diesel trucks for private use with a gross weight of up to four thousand (4.000) kilograms and diesel-powered passenger vehicles for private use are exempt from traffic restrictions in the regions of Attica and Thessaloniki prefectures, determined by the provisions of the article 26 of Law 1959/1991 (Α΄ 123), as long as their technology meets the specifications of the Regulation by design (EC) 715/2007 of June 20 2007 (Euro V and Euro VI) or later.
2. The provisions hereof shall commence upon its publication in the Government Gazette."
Greece, until today, was the only country in Europe with restrictions on the use of diesel engines and one of the few to have such a ban in place. For example, restrictions also exist in Japan. But there the prohibition actually applies so that they can commercially guide prospective buyers to their own car manufacturers, since these do not yet have such advanced diesel engines, as much as the Europeans have. After all, they have the hybrid systems.
In the European Union, thanks to the implementation of the strictest emission standards for diesel and gasoline engines, which are known as Euros 5, Euro 6 etc, has forced car manufacturers, if they want to sell cars within the EU, to invest huge sums in the technological development of their engines. Diesel engines in particular have had a technological boom in the last decade, which has now declared them as the most economical and "green" internal combustion engines. In fact, in some cases of models they emit less pollutants even than hybrid cars!
At the same time, the use of carbon filters in the exhausts, have zeroed out the emission of microparticles from it, i.e. smoke. Of course, all of the above presupposes the correct maintenance of the engines, as defined by the manufacturer, but also the use of "clean" diesel. Especially in the second case, and because the state is powerless to crack down on counterfeiting, the owners of diesel cars themselves must protect themselves, choosing specific-trusted gas stations for their refueling. This is the only solution for now…
The "green ring"
According to the above law, the ban on the circulation and sale of diesel vehicles in Athens and Thessaloniki is lifted, as long as they meet Euro emission standards 5 and Euros 6.
At the same time, from May 1, the Ministry proposes the entry into force of the "Green Ring", to replace the current one, small. According to the plan being prepared, in the new ring they will be able to circulate
All cars, regardless of whether it is "odd" or "even", provided that they are of Euro V technology or later and emit carbon dioxide from 140g/km and below. For all other cars the "odd-even" will apply as today.
Regarding the trucks, you are studying the curfew on the big ring, of those above 2,2 tons and up to 12 tons, with a date of first registration prior to 1/1/1992.
At the same time, the traffic of trucks over 12 tons, with a date of first registration prior to 1/1/1992, in Attica, except for the Athens-Lamia and Athens-Corinth National Roads, of Attica Road and the main access roads to the ports of Piraeus, Lavrio, Rafina and Elefsina.
Please note that vehicles that will be allowed to drive on the "green ring" will have a special green sign in a prominent place.
