Milan's Ecopass called a success one month after its introduction
As our readers know, Milan created a pollution tax system (called EcoPass) to stop highly-polluting cars from driving inside a section of the city center. One month after its introduction, la Reppublica has published a very encouraging article (in Italian) that details all the positive things the measure has brought for the Milanese. The article is very thorough, speaking about lots of indicators, but we'll just highlight the most important ones.
First of all, traffic figures are down by 22.7 percent, or by 26.7 percent if you exclude public transport vehicles (buses and taxis). This had the side benefit of increasing the average speed of the vehicles that do remain by 11.3 percent. The figures for the subway train lines (Metropolitana) went also up, with more people (9.1 percent more) using it to access the city center.
The highest reduction in car usage came from the most polluting cars (those under the Euro I, II and III norms), which have to face higher prices to access the zone: the number of these cars dropped by 40 percent.
Maybe the most remarkable figure is the measurement of the quantity of certain pollutants. Pm10 (particulates under 10 micrograms) were down by 26 percent, NOx was down by 21 percent and ammonia by 40 percent.
Lastly, the Comune (city hall) also got 2.5 million EUR of additional income.
Cities such as London, Toronto, Singapore and Stockholm have similar measures. Other places, such as Berlin, Cologne and Hannover, have decided to completely ban the most polluting cars.
[Source: La Repubblica (h/t to Karl-Uwe for the tip) - Link is in Italian]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 8:49AM (2/13/2008)
The original article also says the citizens of Milan are still on a "war footing" with the council over this. Perhaps in time they will come to appreciate the reduced congestion and improved air quality, but for now, there is still a lot of resentment - especially among those who can ill afford to upgrade to a cleaner vehicle.
In spite of likely voter ire, several other Italian cities are now looking into emulating the Milanese model: Rome, Florence and Turin. Given the EU directive forcing councils to act against excessive PM10, long honored only in the breach, they have little choice.
Over in the Netherlands, Amsterdam's city council is proposing to flat out ban all gasoline cars initially registered before 1992 (the year three-way catalysts were introduced throughout Europe) plus all diesel vehicles that cannot be retrofitted with a DPF (mostly pre-1997) from the city center. Affected residents will be offered some financial compensation if they decided to scrap their disqualified vehicle.
In addition, parking fees are to be raised to EUR 5 per hour, which is supposed to raise EUR 31 million a year for the city. The implied expectation is that traffic volume will only fall by 1-2% in spite of the price hike. Unsurprisingly, many citizens are livid.
http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article503760.ece/Amsterdam_Centrum_wil_af_van_oude_bakken
Reply
Karl-Uwe Strunzen 5:48PM (2/13/2008)
I think the city of Genoa is also interested in the system adopted by Milan.
I believe the Germans have decided to ban cars without a DPF and not the most polluting cars. It seems it's quite OK to enter Berlin, Cologne or Hannover with a VW Touareg TDI 5.0 DPF or Cayenne 4.8 Turbo if it has a DPF. At the same time some of these new Euro5 A or B segment cars are not allowed if they don't have a DPF. There is a reason why the Germans have adopted a system which is different from everyone else, and this is clearly not to stop the most polluting cars. If you pollute (both in terms of particle emissions and in terms of CO2) 5 or more times than say a Citroen C1 or Toyota Aygo, adding a DPF is indeed a good idea, but the effect isn't as good as putting it on a car which had low emissions in the first place. DPFs have efficiencies which are never 100%. Furthermore CO2 is also one of the emissions which has to be reduced (besides the particles).
Another example is the heavy taxes imposed in France and Spain as of 1 January 2008. German car sales collapsed last month in these two countries (Audi and Mercedes in particular fell by between 21% and 41%) and it would be a disaster for the German car industry if similar measures, which are designed to penalize the most polluting cars, were also adopted in Germany. Eventually I suspect filters will be on all cars and I'd like to see then if the Touaregs etc still have their sacred cow status.
Reply
Karl-Uwe Strunzen 5:47PM (2/13/2008)
If you select the Database at
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk
and then select the VW Touareg 5.0 TDI DPF
and compare it with a Citroen C1 1.4 HDi without DPF you get of course lower particulates, but also:
Touareg (g/km):
CO2 333, CO 0.424, NOx 0.336, HC+NOx 0.393
C1 (g/km):
CO2 109, CO 0.180, NOx 0.240, HC+NOx 0.280
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/mobile/mse_fs.htm
" * Hydrocarbons react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight and elevated temperatures to form ground-level ozone. It can cause eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath and can lead to permanent lung damage.
* Nitrogen oxides (NOx) also contribute to the formation of ozone and contribute to the formation of acid rain and to water quality problems.
* Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas. It reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and can impair mental functions and visual perception. In urban areas, motor vehicles are responsible for as much as 90 percent of carbon monoxide in the air. "
This NSC info I think is over-simplified. Studies in Europe have linked car emissions to a whole host of other health problem.
Reply
texmln 12:54AM (2/14/2008)
Make sure you follow up later on when businesses have moved out of these cities, the economies have tanked, tax receipts are down, and the governments wonder how they might stimulate economic activity. People won't put up with this crap forever.
Reply
Karl-Uwe Strunzen 2:58AM (2/14/2008)
These measures make sense even from a purely economical point of view as well. The time it takes to get to work in a highly congested city has an impact on company turnovers as well in these cities. This is a direct effect. An indirect effect is higher stress levels in these cities. Another is a higher percentage of medical problems, which has an effect on sick leave absences as well as worker performance at work.
It's been known for millenia that a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with optimal performance at work or in life in general, and this isn't about to change today.
Mens sana in corpore sano
Reply
Das Boese 6:25PM (2/15/2008)
This system is catching on very quickly throughout Europe, but IMO most cities do it for the money.
The problem is, if they don't invest that additional income into things like public transport and better infrastructure (which I bet you they won't), it's not going to get them very far. In the short term, the businesses in the restricted areas will experience economic drawbacks, but after a few more years when most cars fulfill those requirements (and the number of cars is ever increasing), you'll be back to today's traffic problems.
Reply
Jim 12:33PM (2/14/2008)
Are you sure that Toronto has implemented such a system? I'm not aware of it, but if they have could you point me to where the details are listed.
Reply
Karl-Uwe Strunzen 5:53PM (2/14/2008)
I don't see how improvements from a transportation as well as health point of view will bring economic drawbacks.
In London, Stockholm and Milan it is well documented that the number of cars has been decreasing as a result of these measures..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_congestion_charge
Reply
Xavier Navarro 6:44PM (2/15/2008)
To Das Boese:
We can think they do it for the money, but local governments are elected locally, so people tend to be more sensible. From my experience, I've seen how the introduction of new parking fees has made a city like Barcelona to have the public bike rental service (bicing).
Reply
Kelvin James 5:38PM (5/22/2008)
K.T. COMPUTING SERVICES LIMITED
Registered No. 04638798
ADDRESS:63 CHILTERN ROAD, MARSHALSWICK, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE, AL4 9SP UNITED KINGDOM.
Website : www.ktcomltd.extra.hu, but its still underconstruction for now
Dear Customers
We are well standered company,we sell all kinds of brand new unlocked mobile phones sealed in there original box,and also sell all kinds of
laptops,ipods,sidekick,plasma tvs,digital camerals Vidio games e.t.c at a very affordable price.
We deliver to any destination in the World.you can chat with me on msn:ktcomltd@live.com.
Here are Some of the products we have in stock below
IPHONE
Portable DVD PLayer...$270
Apple iphones 2GB...$170
Apple iphone 4GB...$250
Apple iphone 8GB...$300
Apple Iphone 16GB..$320
NOKIA
Nokia N96 $320
Nokia N95 $280
Nokia N95 8GB $300
Nokia N70 $160
Nokia N71 $170
Nokia N72 $190
Nokia N73 $200
Nokia N75 $210
Nokia N76 $240
Nokia N800 $250
Nokia N80 $180
Nokia N90 $160
Nokia N91 $170
Nokia N92 $190
Nokia N93 $230
Nokia N93i $260
Nokia E90 $210
Nokia E61 $180
Nokia E65 $190
Nokia E61i $160
Nokia E50 $150
Nokia 8800 (Sirocco Edition) $240
Nokia 9500 (communicator) $190
Samsung
Samsung SGH D410 $140
Samsung SGH D500 $170
Samsung SGH P400 $140
Samsung SGH P510 $160
Samsung D500 $190
SONY ERICSSON
Sony Ericsson P800 $190
Sony Ericsson P900 $240
Sony Ericsson P910 $260
Sony Ericsson P990i $280
Sony Ericsson w800 $250
Sony Ericsson w800i $260
Sony Ericsson w880i $280
Sony Ericsson w900 $290
Sony Ericsson w900i $300
Sony Ericsson w950i $330
SONY ERICSON K500i...$120
SONY ERICSON k790....$130
MOTOROLA
Motorola Razor V3 $140
Motorola Razor V3i $170
Motorola V500 $130
Motorola Krzr $150
Motorola V600 $130
Blackberry
blackberry 7100i $180
blackberry 7100t $170
blackberry 7230 $190
blackberry 7290 $200
blackberry 8700f $220
Tom Tom Go
TOM TOM GO 500. $180
TOM TOM GO 510. $240
TOM TOM GO 700. $260
TOM TOM GO 910. $320
TOM TOM GO 300. $330
OTHERS
Treo 650 $170
Treo 700wx $300
Treo 700p $310
Treo 750 $330
Sidekick 111 $170
Sidekick II $150
Sidekick 1 $100
Eten m500 $170
Eten m600 $190
O2 XDA Atom Exec $150
Play station 1 $110
Play station 2 $240
Play station 3 $310
GARMIN 396 $250
Ipods
Apple iPod nano 4GB: $120
Apple iPod nano 2GB: $100
Apple 30 GB Video iPod: $170
Apple 60 GB Video iPod $190
Apple 20 GB iPod: $150
Apple 6 GB iPod Mini: $140
Apple 40 GB iPod photo: $170
Apple 60 GB iPod photo: $200
Apple 30 GB iPod Photo: $150
PSP
Sony PSP PlayStation Portable Game System...$120USD
Sony PSP Handheld Gaming System...$130
PSP Portable Console $140
Sony PSP-1000KCW PlayStation Portable Value-Pack..$110
XBOX
Microsoft Xbox 360 Platinum System cost $290
Microsoft Xbox 360 Core System $270
Microsoft Xbox 360 System Bundle $290
Xbox 360 Ctomer Choice Bundle with Hard Drive $260
Xbox 360 Live Bundle $260
Xbox 360 Core Bundle $270
DIGITAL CAMERA
Acer cs-5530 digital camera.....$150USD
Canon ixus 700 digital camera...$200
Canon ixus 750 digital camera...$160
Canon ixus i zoom digital camera (jet black)....$210
PLASMA TV
PIONEER
Pioneer PDP-424MV....$750
Pioneer PDP-42A3HD...$600
Pioneer DP-42A3HD....$600
Pioneer PDP-434CMX...$500
Sony KDE-42XS955..$700
Sony FWD-50PX1....$750
Sony KDE-50XS955..$680
Samsung HP-R4252..$560
Samsung HP-R5052..$1000
Samsung HP-P5581..$910
Toshiba 42DPC85...$760
Toshiba 42HPX95...$880
Toshiba 50HP95....$750
NEC 50XR4...$900
NEC 61XM3...$560
NEC 61XR3...$500
NEC 84VP4...$690
Sony Vaio Laptops
SONY VAIO A217S-- 100GB-- 512MB RAM-- XP HOME, 1.5GHZ $420
SONY VAIO B1VP-- 40GB HD-- 512MB RAM-- XP PRO, 1.2GHZ. $360
SONY VAIO T370P/L-- 60GB HD-- 512MB RAM-- XP, 1.2GHZ...$370
SONY VAIO A397XP-- 80GB HD-- 512MB RAM-- XP, 2GHZ......$630
SONY VAIO B100B08 60GB HD-- 512MB RAM-- XP, 1.5GHZ.....$420
SONY VAIO LAPTOP-- VGN-A117S, 100GB HD, 1GB RAM, 2GHZ..$520
SONY VAIO LAPTOP-- VGN-S1XP, 120GB HD, 1GB RAM, 3GHZ...$630
Dell Laptops
Dell Latitude D600 60GB HD, 512MB RAM, 1GHZ $300
Dell Latitude D500 40GB HD, 512MB RAM, 1GHZ $250
Dell Inspiron 6000 80GB HD, 1GB RAM, 1.8GHZ $500
Dell Latitude D505 80GB HD, 512 RAM, 1.4GHZ $350
APPLE G5 POWERMAC 2.0GHZ DESKTOP COMPUTER $640
APPLE G4 POWERBOOK 1.5GHZ SUPERDRIVE WITH 17 INCH
DISPLAY........$570
ToshibaLaptops
Toshiba Satellite PRO L10, 80GB HD, 512 MB RAM, 1.7GHZ $350
Toshiba M200 100GB HD, 1GB RAM, 2GHZ $500
Toshiba R100 80 GB HD, 1GB RAM, 1.8GHZ $470
Toshiba Qosmio E10 120GB HD, 1GB, 3GHZ $760
Toshiba Qosmio F20 100GB HD, 512 RAM, 1.6GHZ $600
INTERESTED BUYER SHOULD CONTACT US
CONTACT NAME :Kelvin James
Email :ktcomltd0@yahoo.com
:ktcomltd0@gmail.com
:ktcomltd@luxmail.com
Phone Number :+447031960887
Reply
tom 5:18AM (1/19/2009)
The D410 is very good if you want a portable laptop: it fits in normal bags and the battery life is good: better than two hours if you are only web surfing. The build quality is good, the plastic is strong.
The screen is a bit small so if I was going to use it for long I'd put it in the docking station and plug in a big monitor.
Performance-wise it is ok. I can play World of Warcraft on it but the frame rate is a bit sluggish, it's not good for fighting.
Mine is over a year old, it is on it's second dell d410 battery from http://www.batterygoshop.co.uk/dell/latitude-d410-series-battery.htm (the extended life one, good for five hours surfing or one hour warcraft). I would imagine that there are newer and better models out now.
Reply
Bill Jensen 7:03AM (2/28/2009)
Skycom Ltd offers these brand new unlocked mobile phones and Laptops for sale..
Blackberry Thunder
Blackberry storm 9500
Blackberry bold 9000
Blackberry pearl
Blackberry Curve
3G 16GB iPhone
3G 8GB iPhone
Nokia n97
Nokia n96
Nokia n95
HTC Advantage X7510
HTC P3470
HTC Touch Cruise
HTC Dual
HTC S730
HTC P6500
HTC TyTN II
HTC Touch
HTC S630
HTC S710
HTC P3600i
HTC Advantage X7500
HTC MTeor
HTC Shift
Sony ericsson xperia x1
Samsung Omnia 1900
We also have more phones and brand new HP and DELL Laptops for sale too.
For purchase and inquiry please contact us directly via Email:skycomltd@yahoo.com
Regards
Bill Jensen.
Sales Manager.
Reply
Bill Jensen 12:21PM (2/28/2009)
Skycom Ltd offers these brand new unlocked mobile phones and Laptops for sale..
Blackberry Thunder
Blackberry storm 9500
Blackberry bold 9000
Blackberry pearl
Blackberry Curve
3G 16GB iPhone
3G 8GB iPhone
Nokia n97
Nokia n96
Nokia n95
HTC Advantage X7510
HTC P3470
HTC Touch Cruise
HTC Dual
HTC S730
HTC P6500
HTC TyTN II
HTC Touch
HTC S630
HTC S710
HTC P3600i
HTC Advantage X7500
HTC MTeor
HTC Shift
Sony ericsson xperia x1
Samsung Omnia 1900
We also have more phones and brand new HP and DELL Laptops for sale too.
For purchase and inquiry please contact us directly via Email:skycomltd@yahoo.com
Regards
Bill Jensen.
Sales Manager.
Reply