Emilia Romagna: reversal on banning Euro 5 diesel. What about Lombardy?

In Emilia Romagna as well, the ban on euro diesel 5 cars has been lifted. Similar to Piedmont, which distributes biodiesel vouchers, or Veneto, which cleans its roads, Emilia Romagna’s measures are not particularly innovative. The compensation plans focus solely on interventions related to residential heating. 40 million has been invested in this sector, with no funds allocated for incentives to individuals and businesses to replace polluting cars with zero-emission ones. As a result, 90,000 euro 5 diesel cars remain unaffected. Lombardy is waiting for Salvini’s decree, which aims to overturn this ban.

Emilia Romagna’s measures: delaying the turning on of heating systems and…

We look at the measures announced by the region: a delay to November 1st for turning on residential heating systems in low-lying areas. During air quality emergencies, restrictions will be placed on the use of domestic biomass heating systems, and the driving restrictions for private vehicles will be extended by one hour—from 8 am to 7 pm. The target is to require vehicles to meet Euro 4 standards or lower.

The regional government has also allocated 10 million to encourage the replacement of more polluting heating systems with heat pumps, even when combined with photovoltaic systems. This measure has been submitted to the Environment Ministry for approval.

Decision made in conjunction with other northern regions

It’s one blockade after another. Just read the statement: “The Emilia-Romagna region, after consulting with other regions in the Po Valley, has decided to suspend the structural ban on euro 5 diesel vehicles. As required by national law, the regional government has prepared a package of alternative and compensatory measures to ensure emissions reductions even greater than those achievable through the ban, starting October 1, on euro 5 diesel vehicles.” But there are no initiatives to promote clean transportation, such as electric vehicles. Yet traffic has a severe impact on citizens’ health. In Lombardy, just days before the ban takes effect, there is still no clarity. The traffic ban would be in place starting October 1. Hope lies with Minister Salvini, who has announced his intention to bring a measure to the Council of Ministers to delay it.

Called “absurd.” A last-minute measure to “save” his Lombardy.

In five years, 40 million has been allocated for replacing biomass generators

The region announced a 10-million intervention, “A grant for replacing polluting heating systems with heat pumps, even in combination with solar panels, even from balconies,” but it’s not the first measure.

Restrictions on Euro 5 diesel engines—will they really happen? The loopholes

Since 2021, the Emilia-Romagna region has allocated about 40.6 million for replacing polluting biomass generators with 5-star or heat pump systems. What does 5 stars mean? It refers to the least polluting class available on the market.

Actions are taken on heating, but no funding for clean transportation. Yet the 2025 Arpae report by the regional environmental agency clearly shows the impact of traffic. For example, “Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a major air pollutant that, like ozone, is harmful to the respiratory system. The main sources of NO2 are vehicle exhaust gases, heating systems, and certain industrial processes.” In short, it’s incomprehensible to see no progress on this issue, as other regions have programs for vehicle replacement. Ozone, which is extremely dangerous to the lungs, is also mentioned in the report, which states: “These pollutants are produced especially by civil and industrial combustion processes, by processes that use or produce volatile chemical substances such as solvents and fuels, as well as by vehicle traffic.”

Emilia Romagna: lockdown averted due to economic reasons

Regional President Michele de Pascale and Environment and Mobility Minister Irene Priolo provided an explanation for suspending the ban on 90,000 polluting vehicles. “We avoided a restriction that would have had a real impact on the daily lives of thousands of people, families, and the most vulnerable segments of the population. It would also affect businesses that are already heavily burdened by rising energy costs.” Citing environmental data, they said, “We’re doing this without stepping back from our goal of improving air quality.” However, as the two regional officials noted, “The Po Valley continues to face particularly complex air quality issues. And as outlined in our regional plan, we know that actions are needed across all major emission sources.” But support measures are still lacking.

A clean transition to mobility without fossil fuels.

READ ALSO: End for Euro 5 diesel? “It’s unacceptable; the Val Padana is suffering.” Watch the VIDEO

Read also: Incentives for charging stations; those left out write to the ministry

Skoda Peaq, 7 seats and 600 km range – VIDEO TEST

Previous Article

TEST - Skoda Peaq: 7 seats, 600 km range, and plenty of comfort

Next Article

Honda enters the e-MTB market: the first e-bike will arrive in 2027