GENERAL NEWS

CLEAN AIR CAPITALS ARE WAFTING INTO EUROPE

STOCKHOLM IS IN THE VANGUARD

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Not allowed in Stockholm? It's ok guys, I guess we can just live here now...
Some European countries are putting their money where their mouths are, regarding clean air and climate targets. Madrid, Athens and Paris have all banned diesel vehicles from city centres and London has the ULEZ scheme, which makes the most polluting vehicles pay for entering the city. However Stockholm is actually going as far as banning petrol and diesel cars from their capital’s streets.

So on the 31st of December 2024 a ban on petrol and diesel cars will come into force for Stockholm, Sweden’s capital. This will mean that only low emissions ICE vehicles will legally be allowed to enter the city centre, all the rest will be banned.

The way it’s going to work is that the city will be split into regions and petrol and diesel cars and lorries will only be allowed to use certain areas. There won’t be a fee for travelling into the centre of the city if you drive a polluting vehicle, you just won’t be allowed to drive into the designated area at all. In that way it will vary from London’s ULEZ. The only delivery vehicles and lorries allowed into the specified pollution free areas, will be electric or hybrid vehicles.

Obviously drivers who are disabled and emergency services vehicles will still be allowed to drive anywhere they need to within all areas of the city.

The ban will be introduced in 20 blocks in the city centre in Stockholm. This is apparently the area where the vehicles driving around are mostly delivery vehicles, so this should have the effect of making the area much quieter and less busy.

This marks the first time the country has introduced such strict environmental rules for vehicles. The Green Party in Sweden (Miljöpartiet) would like to bring in vehicle controls in the city, with the ultimate goal of reducing city car traffic by 30% by 2030. This is supported by their data which states that 1,000 citizens of Stockholm die prematurely annually, due to bad air quality.

The MP who is driving this is Lars Strömgren, who stated that:
“In Stockholm, everyone should be able to breathe the air without getting sick,”
It will be interesting to see how Stockholm gets on with this new deal and how they police and enforce it, as it could well be the shape of things to come in many world capitals. It still remains to be seen whether motorcycles or scooters will be included in the ban or be exempt.

What do you think about this idea and the fact that it will likely creep in everywhere eventually? Are you in favour, or do you think it’s a terrible idea? Let us know at: [email protected] or drop us a message on Facebook

TOPICS: POLLUTION ULEZ 2023
Posted by Lucy England
for Wemoto News on 07 December 2023 in General News

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