Woman has to pay 128 euros
E-cars are considered environmentally friendly because they are emission-free. Without a green sticker, it can still be expensive, as the driver of an E-BMW now had to experience in Munich.
Munich – Shaking his head, Jutta Geyer (60) looks again at the license plate of her car: “Yes, there is obviously an E for E-car!” She should now pay a fine of 100 euros (plus 28.50 in fees) because she does not have a green one Plaque drove in the Munich environmental zone. She has now appealed. “It’s a money maker! The official mold can’t whinny louder!”
Munich: E-car driver lodges an appeal against a fine
It was early December when the dilemma happened: the artist didn’t yet know that electric cars also needed a sticker when she left her place of residence south of Munich drives downtown and parks on Pacellistrasse to deliver a painting. “Why also? Everyone can see that the car is emission-free!” Unfortunately, that’s actually how it’s regulated. That’s why Jutta Geyer has meanwhile bought a green sticker. Nevertheless, she does not want to let the fine notice sit on her – also because of the amount of the fine. “I would have understood 20 euros. But 128.50 euros with the fees! I pay less for some speeding violations – and that puts people at risk!”
Yes, the usefulness of this rule is another matter. The Munich district administration department, which is usually responsible for punishing these violations, has also recognized this. “This is not a Munich regulation. It is based on the Federal Emission Protection Ordinance from 2006 – where electric cars have not yet played a major role,” explains Christopher Habl, head of the municipal traffic monitoring department. “As part of the opportunity principle, we deliberately do not interpret these violations severely and do not punish the violation – if an E is recognizable on the license plate. That’s not our enforcement practice.” That’s why the inspectors of the KVR could not be behind Geyer’s case.
Munich: The inspector was probably a hard-working police officer
And indeed: The sender of the letter to the artist is the Bavarian Police Administration Office. In this case, the inspector was probably a diligent police officer (theoretically, a citizen could have reported the violation to the police). And the police show no mercy in such cases – in contrast to the city.
On request from the police administration office, it is said that “an entry with an electric vehicle with an E license plate in an environmental zone without the required sticker is always punished” – due to the legal situation. And then it is added: An e-mark cannot “replace the fine dust sticker, since hybrid vehicles that have an electric drive as well as a combustion engine can have an e-mark, but in the environmental zone they can have a petrol or diesel drive can be moved.”
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Jutta Geyer can hardly believe it all: “Then I was obviously unlucky that I came across the wrong person.” Nevertheless, she will stand by her objection and fight against what she sees as a nonsensical regulation. “Maybe the politicians will see at some point that the regulation needs to be changed.” (Nina Bautz)
The most important rules for the environmental sticker
Many drivers are surprised that e-cars are not exempt from the sticker requirement. The environmental zone then serves to protect health from fine dust pollution. It has been in effect in the center of Munich within the Mittlerer Ring since 2012 – but not on the Mittlerer Ring itself. The tz explains the most important facts.
In order to be able to drive into the environmental zone, all cars (including residents, commuters and e-cars), buses, mobile homes and trucks need a special permit: the green sticker. Drivers who do not live in Munich and foreign drivers are also obliged to do so. There are exceptions, for example for agricultural and forestry tractors, ambulances and emergency vehicles or certain vintage cars. Entry with a yellow or red sticker or without one at all is prohibited. The fine for violations used to be 80 euros, now 100 euros, plus fees and delivery costs of at least 28.50 euros. In the case of special circumstances, such as intentional misconduct, the fine can be increased. The green sticker must be stuck to the window pane and must not be placed in the front of the car.
It applies to all 55 environmental zones in Germany and costs six euros. Usually, the Munich resident receives the sticker when the vehicle is registered (only with an agreed date). If the license plate number changes or you change cars, you need a new sticker.
Another environmental measure will take effect from February 1, 2023: the diesel driving ban. Then diesel cars with a Euro 4/IV badge will no longer be allowed to drive within the Mittlerer Ring (and not on the Ring itself). Delivery traffic, residents and craftsmen, nursing services or people with disabilities are excluded. Adherence WILL NOT be checked using stickers; random checks should be carried out. The violation also costs 100 euros here (plus fees and expenses 128.50 euros).