A major European city will soon ban petrol and diesel cars from its streets, with a much more significant expansion highly likely.
Hungarian-American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman were cited for contributing “to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health,” according to the panel that awarded the prize in Stockholm.
The plan creates an environmental zone in the heart of Stockholm, spanning 20 blocks that include high-end shopping streets and some of Sweden’s priciest office spaces.
The Green Party, part of Stockholm City Council’s left-wing and environmentally-focused ruling coalition, aims to accelerate the transition from combustion engines to electric cars.
“Nowadays, the air in Stockholm causes babies to have lung conditions and the elderly to die prematurely. It is a completely unacceptable situation,” Green Party Vice Mayor for Transport Lars Stromgren said.
A class-three environmental zone allows fully electric cars. Exceptions apply for larger vans, which may use plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Stockholm will ban petrol and diesel cars in a central 20-block area of the city as of 2025 in a bid to improve air quality, City officials say. Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand
Some vehicles, such as ambulances, police cars, and those used by people with disabilities, are exempt from the regulation.
The Green Party plans to expand the environmental zone beyond its initial introduction.
Transport companies argued the plan was excessive and recommended investing in electric charging points instead to encourage voluntary change.
“Since 2010, we have reduced emissions by 34 per cent. But the Green Party and their colleagues in the city of Stockholm are now in far too much of a hurry,” the Swedish Confederation of Transport Enterprises said.
However, according to Bloomberg reports, consumers in Sweden are shying away from EVs due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Earlier this year, Mobility Sweden lowered its forecast for new EV registrations in 2023 to 35 per cent from 40 per cent of total registrations.
Stockholm is set to become the first city in Sweden to introduce a class-three environmental zone.
Cities worldwide are taking steps to reduce vehicle emissions and promote sustainable transportation.
Brussels banned non-essential and non-local car traffic in December on 10 central city streets.
London also introduced one of the most ambitious vehicle emissions policies by expanding its ultra-low emissions zone in August.
However, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently delayed the government’s green agenda by five years, moving the plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to 2035.
Stockholm is the birthplace of climate activist Greta Thunberg, and where she launched the globally adopted School Strike for Climate demonstrations. Picture: Jonathan Nackstrand
In the neighbouring country of Norway’s capital, Oslo, which has been leading the w
ay in electric vehicles, the municipal environment agency has recommended the introduction of a zero-emission zone in the inner city. The target is to first include heavy transport and trucks in 2025, followed by cars in 2027.
Stockholm is the birthplace of globally renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg, now 20.
Sweden’s Parliament, in the city, was subject to the first School Strike for Climate demonstration, led by Thunberg, in 2018.
The strikes became a global annual display of climate activism, attracting tens of thousands at rallies worldwide.
