Hoping to reduce the “shocking” levels of nitrogen oxides in the city, the mayor of Munich is hoping to implement a ban on diesel vehicles. This would make Munich the first German city to introduce such a measure.
As a fuel-efficient alternative to petrol engines, diesel engines are extremely popular in Germany, accounting for approximately half the cars sold in the country before the manipulation of nitrogen oxides emissions tests came to light.
The revelation that diesel cars manufactured by Volkswagen and many other manufacturers were knowingly emitting far higher levels of nitrogen oxides than regulators allow demonstrated that automakers are struggling to comply with emissions caps aimed at preventing air pollution. Demand for diesel cars has declined around the world since reports of the cheating emerged in 2015.