Wallonia's Government announced on Thursday that its imminent ban on heavily polluting vehicles has been postponed from 2023 to 2025. The idea had been considered for some time by the Regional Environmental Minister Céline Tellier (Ecolo) who was concerned about the economic impact of replacing these cars on the region's households.
In November, Tellier had floated the idea of postponing a proposed ban on older, more heavily polluting vehicles in the region. This would have seen vehicles that do not meet European emission standards gradually phased out between 2023 and 2030.
Yet in the minister's eyes, it would be too much to ask people to replace their vehicles in the current economic climate. Furthermore, the measure would have impacted just 0.31% of Walloon vehicles in 2023, thus having a minimal impact on air quality.
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As a result, Tellier's proposal to postpone the ban until 2025 has been approved by the Walloon Government, which will also allow authorities "to make contact with the region's major cities to support them in the implementation of targeted measures in favour of air quality for all citizens."
She confirmed that certain vehicles would be exempt from the ban, such as emergency vehicles, police vehicles and vehicles used to transport disabled people.
