Piedmont region avoids Euro 5 diesel ban with alternative anti‑smog measures

From 1 October 2026 the EU‑mandated restriction on diesel cars rated Euro 5 will apply in several northern‑Italian regions. The rule targets vehicles registered between 2011 and August 2015 and would have affected about 307 000 cars in the Piedmont region, especially in the metropolitan areas of Turin and Novara.

Piedmont’s regional government approved an updated Air‑Quality Plan that replaces the outright ban with a package of compensatory measures. The plan, described by President Alberto Cirio and assessor Marnati as the first in the Padano basin to achieve the EU emissions target without a hard stop, relies on incentives for renewable‑fuel use, AI‑driven traffic management, urban regeneration, greener agriculture, and heating‑system upgrades. Funding totals over €130 million, including €14 million for HVO biocarburant subsidies and €44 million for sustainable mobility projects.

Analyses by Carfax show that roughly 14 % of Italy’s diesel fleet falls into the Euro 5 category, with an average age of 12 years and higher rates of documented damage. The regional measures aim to curb NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM₂.5 emissions to levels comparable to those projected under a full ban, while preserving the usability and resale value of affected vehicles.