Overview
- The Federal Environment Ministry told CDU MPs Anna Aeikens and Benedikt Büdenbender it intends to exempt vehicles with E‑license plates from the sticker requirement in low‑emission zones.
- Parliamentary State Secretary Carsten Träger said the ministry will push the legislative process forward as quickly as possible, signaling a change still pending formal adoption.
- The carve‑out would apply to battery electric cars and certain plug‑in hybrids that carry an optional E‑plate, which in some municipalities also confers local perks such as free parking.
- Germany currently has 35 environmental zones where entry generally requires a green sticker, with a €80 fine for noncompliance and sticker fees typically ranging from €5 to €20.
- The Umweltbundesamt notes that over 90% of cars already meet green‑sticker standards, limiting the zones’ current impact, while Aeikens and Büdenbender welcome reduced costs and administrative workload.