Euro 5 standard implemented in Piedmont region: 300,000 diesel vehicles spared from inspections
In a bid to combat smog and establish Piedmont as a European center of excellence in studying air pollutants, Governor Alberto Cirio has announced a comprehensive strategy. The strategy aims to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) while offering support to residents who may find it difficult to switch to cleaner vehicles.
The strategy includes the establishment of a Special Structure, a task force composed of the Environment and Energy Offices of the Region, three main Piedmontese universities, the Metropolitan City, and Arpa. This team will explore various technologies to combat smog, such as outdoor air filtration with modular cubes, street washing, AI to improve traffic fluidity, and anti-smog paint.
In a move to alleviate the financial burden on residents, Governor Cirio has stated that the objective is to help those who cannot afford to change their car. The ban on Euro 5 diesel vehicles, initially scheduled for October, has been officially lifted in Piedmont. However, the regional government has adopted national regulations that postpone the ban to 2026 for cities over 100,000 inhabitants, including Turin and Novara.
To encourage the use of cleaner alternatives, the Special Structure is planning incentives for public transport use. For instance, free transport for under-26 university students and the Tpl bonus are being considered. Additionally, a regulation is needed to allow older vehicles to use the green fuel, after a study by the Politecnico.
The main focus of the Special Structure is on biocarburante, a fuel obtained from renewable sources, capable of reducing emissions by up to 30%. The strategy includes indicating to gas stations the quantity of biocarburante they must sell, in percentage. The center-right executive aims to revise the Air Quality Plan by December.
Real circuit tests and special stations for studying particulate matter will be created, thanks to regional funds. The Special Structure aims to reduce nitrogen oxides by at least 500-700 tons and fine dust by 40-70 tons. In Piedmont, a total of 307,636 vehicles are saved from the ban, including 258,000 private cars, 48,388 vehicles of artisans, hawkers, and self-employed workers, and 1,314 heavier vans.
It is important to note that the Po Valley territories are allowed to continue running all diesel vehicles, as long as alternative measures are found to reduce smog. Governor Cirio has promised to ensure this ban will not be reinstated in the future.
For precise and up-to-date details on Piedmont’s latest anti-smog measures and biofuel strategies, these would likely be available through official Piedmont regional government communications, environmental agency reports, or recent legislative documents specific to the region's air quality management plans.
- The Special Structure, established to combat smog, will investigate technological solutions like outdoor air filtration, AI for traffic flow, anti-smog paint, and street washing.
- To assist residents struggling with the cost of transitioning to cleaner vehicles, the strategy will provide incentives for public transportation, such as free transport for under-26 university students and the Tpl bonus.
- The primary focus of the Special Structure is on biocarburante, a renewable fuel aimed at reducing emissions by up to 30%.
- In an effort to reduce nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the strategy targets a reduction of at least 500-700 tons of nitrogen oxides and 40-70 tons of fine dust.
