Oslo (Norway) Banning Diesel Cars For A Few Days Because Of Air Pollution

January 20th, 2017 by James Ayre

The Norwegian capital city of Oslo has reportedly banned diesel cars from the city’s roads for a period of two days owing to high levels of air pollution.

The ban went into effect on Tuesday and applies to municipal roads but not to the national motorways that extend through the city. Those violating the band will reportedly be fined 1,500 kroner (~£174).

The move is particularly notable as it’s the first time that Oslo has implemented such a ban — though, the city council agreed in principal to the matter last February (2016).

Worth noting is that there has apparently been some backlash against the move, as diesel cars were being pushed only a few years ago as being “environment friendly.” Unsurprisingly, some of those who bought diesel cars because of the government’s push are now angry.

The Guardian provides more: “The measure has angered some motorists, who were encouraged in 2006 by Norwegian authorities to opt for diesel vehicles, which at the time were considered a better environmental choice than petrol-fuelled cars.

“Make up your minds. It wasn’t very long ago that diesel was recommended over petrol by Jens (Stoltenberg, Norway’s former prime minister, now Nato’s secretary general). Not sure you really know what is best,” wrote an annoyed Irene Signora Maier Tziotas on the Facebook page of the newspaper Verdens Gang.

Mazyar Keshvari, an MP from the populist right Progress Party, which is a member of the coalition government, urged motorists to seek compensation.

“The biggest swindle of Norwegian motorists has now become a reality,” he told the Norwegian broadcaster TV2.

“This was part of the red-green government’s (Stoltenberg’s coalition) ingenious climate measures. Not only did they recommend motorists to buy diesel cars, they also changed the taxes to make them less expensive. That led a lot of people buying a car that they can’t use now.”

There’s still apparently support from others in the city, with some even calling for higher fines or an outright ban. Presumably, though, these aren’t the people who bought diesel cars because of the government’s advice.

Some cities are working now towards an outright ban of diesel cars, so don’t be too surprised if Oslo implements one eventually.

It should be noted, of course, that Oslo and mother nation Norway are electric car leaders. For more, see:











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