Stockholm, Sweden, is taking a bold step towards reducing pollution by banning diesel and petrol cars in a significant part of its city center starting in 2025.
The plan aims to create a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
The restricted area, covering approximately 20 city blocks, will include the financial district and main shopping areas of the Swedish capital. Within this zone, only electric cars, specific hybrid trucks, and fuel-cell vehicles will be allowed.
According to reports, the possibility of expanding this restricted zone will be considered in the first half of 2025.
Stockholm’s move is particularly noteworthy as it could make the city the first major capital to implement such an extensive ban on diesel and petrol vehicles.
This initiative surpasses similar plans in cities like Paris, Athens, and Madrid, which are focused on banning diesel cars.
In contrast, other cities, including London, have introduced low-emission zones that involve daily fees for older combustion engine vehicles entering the city center.
The effectiveness of these measures and their impact on EV adoption varies from place to place.
Lars Stromgren, Vice Mayor for Transport & Urban Environment, emphasized the goal of creating a better living and working environment for Stockholm’s residents and employees.
However, it remains to be seen whether this plan will significantly boost electric vehicle (EV) sales in Sweden.
The EV market in the country has faced challenges, with consumers feeling the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Earlier this year, Mobility Sweden revised its forecast for new EV registrations in 2023, projecting them to account for 35% of total registrations, down from the previous estimate of 40%.
In neighboring Norway, a pioneer in electric mobility, Oslo’s municipal environment agency has recommended the introduction of a zero-emission zone in the city center.
This initiative is set to target heavy transport and trucks in 2025, with a subsequent extension to include cars in 2027, as reported by Bloomberg.
