Stockholm's Land Pollution Reduction Strategies: A Sustainable Swedish Model

Sweden has been a pioneer in environmental protection since it became the first country to pass an environmental protection act in 1967. The country has consistently ranked highly on the Environmental Performance Index, with clean air, water, and low emissions. Stockholm, the capital city, has a population of over a million people and has been taking steps to reduce land pollution. The city has implemented environmental zones for heavy traffic, congestion taxes, and bans on studded tires to reduce air pollution. It has also introduced electric buses and incentivized the use of electric and hybrid cars.

Congestion taxes

Stockholm, Sweden's capital, has implemented a congestion tax system to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environmental situation in the city centre. The congestion tax, also referred to as the congestion charge, is levied on most vehicles entering and exiting central Stockholm. The primary purpose of this tax is to reduce traffic and improve the environment, with the funds collected being used for new road constructions.

The congestion tax was first introduced as a seven-month trial in 2006 and later implemented permanently on 1 August 2007. The system was inspired by Singapore's Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. The tax is applied to both the entry and exit of the affected area, which encompasses Stockholm City Centre, including several districts. Unmanned electronic control points are set up at all entrances to this area to register vehicles passing through.

The amount of tax payable depends on the time of day a motorist enters or exits the congestion tax area. There is no charge on weekends, public holidays, nights, or during the month of July. The tax can be deducted from taxable income for both private individuals and businesses. Certain classes of vehicles are exempt from the tax, including emergency services vehicles, buses weighing at least 14 tonnes, and cars with parking permits for disabled persons.

The introduction of the congestion tax in Stockholm has had noticeable effects on reducing traffic and improving air quality. Within a week of the tax being charged on the Essingeleden motorway, traffic on the motorway decreased by 22% compared to a normal day. The volume of traffic in the city centre also reduced by 20%, leading to a 5-10% reduction in ambient air pollution. This, in turn, lowered the rate of severe asthma attacks by 50%.

Low-emission zones

Stockholm, Sweden, has implemented a range of measures to reduce land pollution and improve air quality, including the introduction of low-emission zones (LEZs). As the capital city of Sweden, Stockholm has a population of over a million people within its municipality, with a further 1.6 million in the urban area and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area.

LEZ Classes

There are two LEZ classes in Stockholm:

• LEZ Class 1 covers the entire city centre and affects heavy buses and trucks. Only heavy traffic over 3.5t, trucks and buses younger than six years, and vehicles categorised as EURO-V and EEV are allowed to enter.
• LEZ Class 2 reduces all traffic on Hornsgatan Street in the city centre. Only light vehicles with an emission class of "Euro 5" or newer may enter, which roughly corresponds to vehicles manufactured from 2011 onwards.

Congestion Charge

All vehicles entering the Stockholm area must pay a congestion charge. The introduction of this charge has had a noticeable effect on reducing traffic and ambient air pollution, with the volume of traffic in the city centre lower by as much as 20%. This has also led to a reduction in the rate of severe asthma attacks by as much as 50%.

Other Measures

Stockholm has also introduced a range of other measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality, including:

• A ban on the most polluting heavy vehicles from the inner city since 1996, with stricter requirements announced in advance to give operators time to plan and reduce adaptation costs.
• Tighter controls on emission requirements for vehicles and industries.
• Expansion of district heating and the introduction of cleaner fuels and electric cars.
• Encouraging the use of electric, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles that meet Euro 6 standards.
• Introduction of a studded tire ban and dust-binding measures on roads, especially during winter.
• Implementation of an electric bus premium by the Swedish Energy Agency to reduce carbon dioxide levels.

Studded tyre ban

Stockholm, Sweden, has implemented a ban on studded tires in an attempt to reduce land pollution. Studded tires tear small particles from the road surface, contributing to air pollution. This pollution is responsible for several deaths each year. The ban was first introduced in Hornsgatan, central Stockholm, and has since been extended to other busy roads in the city centers of Uppsala and Gothenburg.

The decision to ban studded tires was controversial. Car and road safety organizations highlighted studies showing that studded tires save ten lives a year in traffic accidents, particularly in older cars without ABS or anti-lock braking systems. Critics also argued that not enough was known about the polluting effects of studded tires.

Despite the ban, the air quality around Hornsgatan did not improve significantly. This may be due to a lack of enforcement, as only 174 drivers were fined for ignoring the ban.

Sweden allows the use of studded winter tires between the 1st of October and the 30th of April.

Electric buses

Stockholm, Sweden, has been taking several measures to reduce land pollution. One of the most notable initiatives is the introduction of electric buses to its public transport system.

Stockholm has been actively transitioning to a fleet of electric buses to reduce land pollution. In 2016, the Swedish Energy Agency introduced an electric bus premium to incentivize the shift to electric buses, with the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This initiative has resulted in the approval of almost 260 buses, which is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 181,000 tons.

The city aims to have all buses in the city centre and surrounding municipalities running entirely on electricity by spring 2026. This will involve converting one-third of the SL bus fleet, or around 800 buses, to zero-emission drives. As of autumn 2024, there will be approximately 219 electric buses in operation across various districts, including Solna, Sundbyberg, Sollentuna, Bromma, Nacka, Värmdö, Huddinge, Botkyrka, and Söderort.

Solaris Electric Buses

One of the key suppliers of electric buses in Stockholm is Solaris, a Polish e-mobility leader in public transport. Solaris has received orders from Swedish public transport operator Nobina Stockholm for 55 Urbino 15 LE electric buses. These tri-axle vehicles are designated as Class II and are designed for suburban routes in the Stockholm region. The anticipated delivery date for these buses is 2024.

The Urbino 15 LE electric buses feature a powerful 240 kW central motor, paired with Solaris High Energy batteries that offer a capacity exceeding 550 kWh. This enables the buses to operate throughout the day with convenient nighttime recharging. Additionally, these buses prioritize safety with the inclusion of the Mobileye Shield+ driver assistance system. Solaris also demonstrates its commitment to passenger comfort and accessibility by offering air conditioning and specialized equipment for various weather conditions.

Benefits of Electric Buses

The transition to electric buses in Stockholm has had several positive impacts. Firstly, it has contributed to a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, which are particularly high on the busiest streets in the city centre. Secondly, electric buses produce lower noise levels, especially at low speeds and stops, creating a quieter environment for residents. Lastly, the reduction in emissions from electric buses compared to traditional internal combustion engines has positively impacted the health of local residents.

Sulphur taxation

Sweden has a complex system of energy and carbon taxation. In 1991, the country modified its energy tax system, introducing a CO2 tax, reducing the general energy tax, and implementing a tax on sulphur emissions. This sulphur tax is applied to emissions where they are measured, or to the sulphur content of oil used. The tax is uniform across all users and is charged per 0.1% of sulphur content by weight for oil and diesel, and per kg of sulphur content for coke, coal, and peat. If sulphur is removed from exhaust gases, the tax is refunded at the same rate for each kg of sulphur removed.

The energy tax, CO2 tax, and sulphur tax together comprise the present tax structure. The energy tax is levied on all energy carriers used for engines and heating, except for most biofuels. The CO2 tax has been raised in stages over the years, from SEK 0.25/kg CO2 to SEK 1.20/kg CO2 in 2015, but this rate is reduced for the manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture sectors.

Sweden's commitment to sustainability and environmental protection is evident in its efforts to reduce emissions and limit pollution. The country has managed to grow its economy while reducing carbon emissions, with around 60% of its national energy supply coming from renewable sources. Sweden was also one of the first nations to introduce a carbon tax, helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, has also made significant strides in improving air quality. The long-term trend shows that air quality in Stockholm has improved due to reduced emission levels. Various measures have been implemented, such as tighter controls on emission requirements, expansion of district heating, the introduction of cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, and the establishment of environmental zones for heavy vehicles. The introduction of a congestion tax in Stockholm resulted in a 20% reduction in traffic volume in the city centre, leading to a decrease in ambient air pollution by 5-10%.

Overall, Sweden's comprehensive taxation system, including the sulphur tax, plays a crucial role in the country's efforts to reduce land pollution and promote sustainability.

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