IG-L in Austria: What It Means for Drivers
IG-L stands for Immissionsschutzgesetz-Luft, Austria’s federal law on air pollution protection. For drivers, it is best known for the so-called “Luft-Hunderter”: a 100 km/h speed limit introduced on certain sections of motorways and expressways to reduce vehicle emissions.
Depending on air pollution, traffic and weather conditions, an IG-L limit may apply on some days but not on others. In Tirol, however, the limit for passenger cars on the A12 and A13 motorways has been changed to a permanent 100 km/h limit.
When do IG-L speed limits apply?
Air-quality monitoring stations operated by the federal provinces continuously provide current pollution data to ASFINAG, the organisation responsible for Austria’s motorways and expressways. These measurements are combined with traffic data and weather parameters.
An IG-L speed limit comes into force when the algorithms and threshold values defined by the relevant province are met. Drivers must follow the displayed limit whenever it is active.
Where do IG-L speed limits apply?
IG-L speed limits are ordered by the governor of the relevant federal province. They currently apply to sections of motorways and expressways covering 400 kilometres in Tirol, Salzburg, Styria, Upper Austria and Carinthia. The source also lists Vorarlberg among the affected provinces.
- Upper Austria: A1
- Salzburg: A1, A10
- Styria: A9, A2
- Tirol: A12, A13 — permanent 100 km/h speed limit
- Carinthia: A2
- Vorarlberg: A14
Exemptions for electric and hydrogen vehicles
Since 1 July 2019, purely electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles have been exempt from IG-L speed limits on motorways and expressways under certain conditions. Plug-in hybrids must still comply with the limits.
The exemption applies only to vehicles with a green number plate. Green number plates have been available for purely electric vehicles since April 2017, but they are not compulsory. An electric vehicle may continue to use a black number plate; in that case, it must follow the applicable IG-L speed limits in the same way as vehicles with an internal combustion engine.
The exemption applies only on sections where a specific warning sign indicates that green-plated vehicles are exempt. Until that sign is installed, the IG-L limit applies to every vehicle, regardless of its drive system or number plate.
What are the penalties for exceeding an IG-L limit?
In 2017, Austria’s environmental ministry increased the penalty range for speeding in an IG-L area. Since then, exceeding an IG-L speed limit by up to 30 km/h can result in a fine of up to 90 euros.
If you exceed both an IG-L limit and a speed limit imposed under the StVO, you may also receive an additional penalty for the latter offence.
Other IG-L rules and vehicle restrictions
IG-L has also been used to impose traffic bans on heavy goods vehicles in certain areas. For a current overview of heavy goods vehicle restrictions in the individual provinces, consult the Austrian Chamber of Commerce website.
Practical steps for drivers
- Watch the speed-limit signs and any additional signs referring to IG-L.
- Assume that a displayed IG-L limit applies to your vehicle unless a clearly marked exemption applies.
- If you drive a purely electric or hydrogen-powered vehicle, check that it has a green number plate.
- Do not rely on the vehicle’s drive system alone: the electric-vehicle exemption applies only where the relevant warning sign is present.
- Remember that plug-in hybrids are not exempt from IG-L speed limits.
- Check the current rules before driving through affected provinces, especially if you operate a heavy goods vehicle.