Stockholm to kick fossil fuel cars out of its centre

A new environmental zone in the downtown area will be set up in 2025

The Stockholm City Council has decided to ban petrol and diesel-powered cars from circulating in its centre, starting at the beginning of 2025. This will happen through the imposition of a new environmental, low-emissions zone, which will cover 20 blocks of the downtown district, including major shopping streets and busy office areas.

The aim of the new and drastic measure will surprise no one – it’s all about creating a cleaner, quieter and healthier environment in the Swedish capital by putting the wellbeing of guests and residents first.

The planned new environmental zone falls within the area framed by Kungsgatan, Birger Jarlsgatan, Hamngatan, and Sveavägen. Accessing the Klaratunnel via Mäster Samuelsgatan will also be part of the zone.

No way back to car fumes

The plan, which was proposed by the Green Party in the city council, is to establish Zone type 3. This is considered the strictest according to Swedish standards and is expected to make the capital a bright example for other Swedish cities to follow.

What this means is that only fully electric vehicles can go within the limits of the zone. Apparently, the only exceptions will apply to bigger plug-in hybrid vans, ambulances, police vehicles, as well as cars operated by drivers with documented disabilities.

What’s more, Green Party officials have stated that the plan is to gradually expand that zone to include more of Stockholm, according to Reuters.

As expected, the sudden and drastic change, as well as the short horizon for implementation is not to everyone’s liking, even if residents living in the affected areas are mostly fond of progressive ideas about “going green”.

Private transport companies, such as taxi operators, are of the opinion that these changes are too rushed as there aren’t enough EV-charging points in the city to make such a transition viable.