Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is taking bold steps towards a greener future. Last Friday, all local governing parties agreed on a resolution to ban cars with combustion engines from the city by 2030. This move aligns with the city’s ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2025.
While the plan still requires the go-ahead from the Danish government, the city is already conducting feasibility studies to determine how it can expand the number of charging stations to accommodate the influx of electric vehicles. It is also unclear if the ban would apply to Frederiksberg, an enclave surrounded by Copenhagen’s urban area.
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The city’s commitment to sustainable transport is not new. In 2021, Copenhagen announced that it would procure electric buses only going forward, and the number of emissions-free bus routes in the city is set to rise to 34 by the end of 2025. However, there is still no clear timeline for phasing out existing diesel buses.
“We know that the future is zero-emission cars,” said Mads Rørvig, managing director at industry interest group De Danske Bilimportører. “Electric cars will probably dominate the picture when we look a little further ahead. Therefore, we see it as quite natural that the City of Copenhagen will make this requirement in the future.
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Copenhagen’s bold move to ban combustion engine cars is part of a growing trend of cities and countries worldwide aiming for net-zero emissions in the coming decades. As we continue to face the effects of climate change, it is crucial for cities to prioritize sustainable transportation options to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure a more livable future for all.
