Is Preheating the MG3 Hybrid in Germany Illegal?

[JackONeill]

Hi everyone,

I'm from Germany and recently got an MG3 Hybrid. I’ve been wondering if preheating the car using the internal combustion engine (which the MG3 Hybrid uses for this purpose) is actually allowed here.

Germany has pretty strict environmental laws, and I know that idling a combustion engine is generally forbidden unless absolutely necessary. Does preheating the MG3 Hybrid fall under this restriction? Or are there exceptions for hybrid vehicles when using this feature?

I’d appreciate any insights from those familiar with German regulations or with experience in similar situations. Thanks!

 

[MGDriver]

Surely if it was illegal then they wouldn't allow you to do it at all?
Thats usually the case with most things, different countries have different laws, hence why theres lots of variations in specifications

 

[DMeine]

I'm also from Germany and yes, it's not allowed to let your vehicle warm up and that can be punished with a fine. But where there's no plaintiff, there's no judge. It also clearly states in the app that regional laws must be taken into account and hybrids are no exception. But with a plug-in hybrid with a full battery, it shouldn't be a problem, as these usually have a purely electric heater that doesn't need the combustion engine to heat up.

The MG 3 is not a plug-in hybrid but a full hybrid that needs the combustion engine to heat the interior.

 

[IDC]

Shame, because reheating is now my favourite feature.

 

[Pigger1972]

Same in UK can't idle the car..but i see taxi drivers doing it all the time..

 

[chromeskull]

Same in UK can't idle the car..but i see taxi drivers doing it all the time..

It's technically legal. It's only a "Must Not" when leaving the vehicle to idle when your inside the house for example.
If your demisting the windows for example, that would be a permissible reason to idle.
After all you can't drive if you can't see, and it only takes a minute or 2 to clear.

 

[Pigger1972]

It's technically legal. It's only a "Must Not" when leaving the vehicle to idle when your inside the house for example.
If your demisting the windows for example, that would be a permissible reason to idle.
After all you can't drive if you can't see, and it only takes a minute or 2 to clear.

Law says you can do it on private land but not public roads i agree it's a daft rule but a must not is breaking the law..that's why they now say get a stop start car if you can..

 

[Everest]

It's only a "Must Not" when leaving the vehicle to idle when your inside the house for example.

but only if your vehicle is on a public road. On a driveway it is OK.

 

[DMeine]

different countries, different customs

 

[JackONeill]

Too bad, it would have been nice if they had used the existing air conditioning to warm the interior, then the engine wouldn't have to run so often in winter.