If everything goes as planned, a class 3 environmental zone will be introduced in central Stockholm on 31 December.
The zone will cover the 20 blocks between Sveavägen, Kungsgatan, Birger Jarlsgatan and Hamngatan, and will mean a ban on all petrol and diesel cars.
The ban also includes plug-in hybrids and ethanol cars, while gas-powered cars that meet the Euro 6 emission class.
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Must not restrict free movement
Now, however, the Environmental Party in Stockholm states that the environmental zone must be reviewed by the EU Commission, as there is a risk that it violates the Union’s rules on free movement.
The basic principle is that free movement should not be restricted. However, exceptions can be made if a measure is intended to protect the environment or human health.
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The Green Party is not concerned
Today’s industry have spoken to Stockholm’s Traffic Citizens’ Council Lars Strömgren (MP) who does not claim to be worried about the outcome of the review.
– The main purpose of our proposal is to increase the quality of life in the central parts of the city, or in areas where many people move. Then we see that this is a good measure. We believe that the proposal will rather increase mobility for people than limit it,” says Strömgren to Di.
Strömgren also says he is not surprised that the decision on the environmental zone is being reviewed, as it was the city itself that sent it to the European Commission.
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Not the city’s first environmental zone
Currently, there are already environmental zones in Stockholm, but not of such an aggressive type as Environmental Zone class 3.
On Hornsgatan on Södermalm, for example, environmental zone class 2 applies, which excludes all diesel-powered passenger cars, light buses and light trucks that do not meet environmental class Euro 6.
Petrol-powered passenger cars, light trucks and light buses must comply with environmental class Euro 5.
The introduction of the environmental zone in central Stockholm is planned to begin gradually on 31 December 2024, and to be fully introduced in 2026.
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