Stockholm has announced plans to prohibit petrol and diesel vehicles in key parts of the city centre from 2025 in efforts to enhance air quality and mitigate traffic noise.
The Swedish capital’s authorities will introduce an eco-zone spanning 20 blocks of the inner city, encompassing upscale shopping streets and some of Sweden’s priciest properties.
The Green Party, part of Stockholm’s ruling coalition of left-leaning and environmentally-focused parties, hopes this move will expedite the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric cars.
“Today’s air quality in Stockholm results in infants facing respiratory issues and the elderly suffering premature deaths. This is utterly unacceptable,” commented the Green Party.
This ‘Class Three’ eco-zone will predominantly cater to fully electric cars, although plug-in hybrid vehicles will be permitted for larger vans. Exceptions are in place for emergency and police vehicles, as well as cars driven or occupied by disabled individuals.
The Green Party hints at potential expansions of this eco-zone after its initial roll-out.