Municipalities to be Given Option to Ban Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles in Special Zones

A new agreement allows municipalities in all countries to establish so-called zero-emission zones, where only fossil-free vehicles are allowed.

“This is the first step towards removing diesel and gasoline vehicles from traffic for the benefit of air quality in cities,” says Minister of the Environment Magnus Heunicke (S).

The agreement has been reached between the government and the Socialist People’s Party, the Red-Green Alliance, the Social Liberal Party, and the Alternative.

Joy in Copenhagen

Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Sophie Hæstorp Andersen (S) is pleased that the municipality now has the opportunity to establish a zero-emission zone free from air pollution from gasoline and diesel.

-“In 2030, we have a goal of making Copenhagen free of fossil cars, so we can have a city without noise, smoke, and filth. Therefore, it is fantastic news for Copenhagen that we now get the green light to introduce a zero-emission zone. It is yet another step towards a fossil-free city. We have long demanded the opportunity from Christiansborg, and the Medieval City is obvious as Copenhagen’s first zero-emission zone. I look forward to getting started and am pleased that the government will now also analyze the possibilities for maritime environmental zones,” says Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

A greater incentive to buy electric car

The government and the agreement parties propose that municipal councils can choose between two types of zero-emission zones – one that includes passenger traffic or one that includes all traffic, including freight transport. The zones are intended to provide increased incentives to buy electric cars.

There are already environmental zones in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense, and Aarhus municipalities, which impose environmental requirements on diesel-powered trucks, buses, vans, and cars.

Before municipalities can close off certain neighborhoods to gasoline and diesel cars, it requires a legislative change, which a broad majority of parties in Christiansborg have agreed to implement.

The bill is expected to be introduced in the fall.