Helsinki and Espoo plan zero-emission zones for trucks

Helsinki and Espoo plan to establish zones where only trucks and vans that produce no exhaust emissions while operating would be allowed to drive, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported, citing officials in both cities.

The proposed zero-emission zones aim to reduce traffic emissions, improve air quality and limit traffic noise.

Espoo plans to submit a proposal to the city government and city council during the autumn. The measure is part of the city’s updated Carbon-Neutral Espoo action plan.

Espoo Mayor Kai Mykkänen said the zones would signal to companies that they should invest more quickly in cleaner vehicle fleets.

“Zero-emission zones for transport are the clearest and most realistic way to accelerate the reduction of both traffic emissions and noise at the same time. Traffic has become Espoo’s largest source of emissions,” he said in a city government press release.

Helsinki is also preparing a proposal on zero-emission zones, which city authorities plan to present soon. The transition would take place in stages.

The exact implementation methods, the size of the zones and the length of the transition period will be determined during further preparations. The planning will consider the expected impact on emissions as well as the effects on businesses and accessibility in the zones.

Yle reported that Espoo and Helsinki are the first cities in Finland to launch such plans, while many other European cities are also preparing to introduce zero-emission zones. The Netherlands, for example, aims to achieve significant emissions reductions and make urban environments more people-friendly through the zones.