Requirement for environmental badges on electric cars to be abolished

Electric vehicles with E-plates will no longer require a green plate in the future. The Federal Council has now approved the abolition of the so-called environmental plate requirement for such vehicles. Additionally, the new rules regarding liability in accidents involving electric scooters and e-scooters have also been approved by the Federal Council.

Under the decision, which had already been indicated by plans from the federal government in October 2025, vehicles with E-plates will now be allowed to enter one of Germany’s 36 environmental zones without an additional environmental sticker. The E-plate will henceforth suffice as clear proof that the vehicle is eligible. The sticker is used to verify that vehicles emit little fine dust—and electric cars, as is well known, emit almost no fine dust at all.

A spokesperson for the Federal Environment Ministry said, “With today’s decision, we are eliminating an unnecessary dual labeling system. We are protecting our environment, maintaining our air quality standards, and at the same time reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. This is a relief that makes an immediate difference in everyday life. This is how a modern, efficient, and citizen-friendly state operates.”

Specifically, vehicle owners with E-labels will be exempt from the requirement to display an environmental plaque under the newly approved amendment to the 35th Federal Emission Protection Regulation (BImSchV). This relieves both vehicle owners and the administration from existing bureaucratic tasks and costs. According to the Environment Ministry, this can save around six million euros per year.

The Federal Council has also now approved the changes to liability rules for accidents involving e-scooters, which were already passed by the Bundestag. Going forward, the same liability rules will apply to e-scooters as to other motor vehicles. In the event of an accident, liability will no longer rest solely on the driver if they caused the accident, but—regardless of fault—the vehicle owner will also be liable. Until now, owners were exempt from liability for vehicles with a maximum speed of 20 km/h. E-scooters will no longer fall under this exception. This measure is intended to help accident victims claim compensation from scooter rental companies when the responsible driver is unknown.

_Source: via email (Umweltplakette), bundesrat.de (E-Roller)_