In Stockholm, a Clean Zone with No Cars and Harmful Emissions Planned
Stockholm's authorities have announced their intention to prohibit the entry of gasoline and diesel-powered cars into the city's central area starting in 2025. The primary objective of this measure is to improve air quality and reduce traffic noise levels, as reported by Reuters.
Lars Stromgren, the Vice Mayor of Stockholm for Transport Affairs from the Green Party, stated that an ecological zone will be established in the city's central region, encompassing 20 districts. This zone will include streets with elite shops and some of Sweden's most expensive office centers.
Members of the Green Party, part of the coalition of left and environmentally oriented parties in Stockholm's city council, hope that this initiative will expedite the transition from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles.
"Today, the air in Stockholm is causing respiratory diseases in infants, and the elderly are dying prematurely. This is an entirely unacceptable situation," believes Stromgren.
Exceptions will be made in the ecological zone for trucks, hybrid vehicles, and vehicles that serve public functions, such as ambulance services. Owners with documented disabilities will also be granted exceptions.
The Green Party of Sweden does not rule out the possibility of expanding the ecological zone in the future.
This initiative makes Stockholm the first city in Sweden and one of the first European capitals to implement restrictions on vehicles with harmful emissions in its city center.
It's worth noting that in late March, the European Union Council finalized the regulation concerning the limitation of harmful emissions from transport vehicles as part of the "green course," starting from 2035. In September, the regulation was slightly relaxed at the request of European automakers.
Additionally, representatives of EU member states have approved a new position regarding the regulation for the approval of the new "Euro 7" environmental standard for vehicles. It is set to replace "Euro 6," which will be in effect from 2025. The EU Council's position mainly retains the existing "Euro 6" standards for emissions limits for personal cars and light commercial vehicles but calls for a stricter threshold for heavy-duty vehicles.