The Folketing has just adopted the law that gives all of Denmark's 98 municipalities the right to introduce zero-emission zones. Laws apply from 1 January 2025.
The Danish Parliament has adopted a law that from 1 January 2025 gives all municipalities the opportunity to ban petrol and diesel cars in the so-called zero-emission zones.
These zones are areas where only vehicles with no local emissions, such as electric cars, are allowed access. The purpose of the law is to reduce air pollution and contribute to the green transition in the transport sector.
According to the law, municipalities can choose between two types of zones. One type includes all traffic, including vans, while the other only applies to passenger cars.
However, trucks over 12 tonnes and buses are exempt from the rules. It is up to the individual municipalities to decide whether they want to introduce the zones, where they are to be placed and how they are to be administered.
– The zero-emission zones allow the municipalities to limit access to cities for zero-emission cars.
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– It is expected that this option will become popular in the individual municipalities. For example, Aarhus Municipality already has plans to establish a zero-emission zone in the city centre, and we expect that more municipalities will soon follow suit," says Mads Rorvig, managing director of Mobility Denmark, in a press release .
The introduction of zero emission zones may have an impact on the car market in Denmark. Many will probably consider the car's accessibility options when purchasing a new car.
– The zero-emission zones will give further impetus to electric car sales, because the Danes want a car that can go anywhere.
"The introduction of zero-emission zones in various places in Denmark will be part of the consideration of many Danes the next time they buy a new car," says Mads Rorvig.
The law will enter into force in 2025 and is expected to be an important issue in the local elections that year. The issue of zero-emission zones is likely to create debate, as the municipalities must take into account both environmental and practical consequences for citizens and businesses.
However, some municipalities have already said that a zero-emission zone is out of the question. For example, the board in Odense municipality has already rejected the idea.
