The European Commission (EC) announced on Wednesday that it approved €431 million public support for cleaner transport in German cities.
The three support schemes that Germany intends to set up, with an overall budget of around €431 million, will support the retrofitting of municipal and commercial vehicles such as cleaning vehicles, garbage trucks and delivery vehicles equipped with diesel engines.
'EC has found German plans to support the retrofitting of municipal and commercial diesel vehicles to be in line with EU State aid rules,' the statement read, adding that the measure should contribute to reducing nitrogen oxides emissions by 1,450 tonnes per year, while limiting distortions of competition.
The public support will be available in over 60 municipalities where national limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions were exceeded in 2017, and will cover the costs of both the retrofitting systems and their installation.
'Tackling air pollution is one of Europe's greatest challenges. So these three schemes provide a good incentive for vehicle operators in Germany to invest in cleaner vehicles in the most polluted German cities,' Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, was quoted as saying.
By Ebru Sengul
Anadolu Agency
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