Clean vehicles in Stockholm
Published on 18 May 2018

Sweden
Stockholm
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About this good practice
The Clean Vehicles in Stockholm program has been run by the City of Stockholm since 1994. The overall strategy has been to facilitate market introduction of clean vehicles and sustainable fuels including electric charging. The guiding principle has been to continuously collaborate with market players and to find ways of increasing the demand for clean vehicles and fuels. Since the start there was a dialogue with companies and municipalities that have an interest in clean vehicles. Also, vehicle manufacturers and fuel suppliers have been involved.
The City’s work has gone through three phases. The first phase was to remove barriers and pave the way for users of clean vehicles. When results were emerging, the work focused on broadening the market varieties as second phase of the program. Motivating manufacturers to bring out new clean vehicle models requires a bigger market. The third and current phase has therefore largely concentrated on increasing the market for clean vehicles in and outside Stockholm/Sweden, together with other European cities. The beneficiaries of the program are the city’s administrations, households and companies.
Electric vehicles are one category of promoted vehicles. The gained experiences of introducing other kinds of clean vehicles can however be transferred to the EV-market conditions and charging infrastructure challenges. That’s why the program is interesting when promoting e-mobility.
The City’s work has gone through three phases. The first phase was to remove barriers and pave the way for users of clean vehicles. When results were emerging, the work focused on broadening the market varieties as second phase of the program. Motivating manufacturers to bring out new clean vehicle models requires a bigger market. The third and current phase has therefore largely concentrated on increasing the market for clean vehicles in and outside Stockholm/Sweden, together with other European cities. The beneficiaries of the program are the city’s administrations, households and companies.
Electric vehicles are one category of promoted vehicles. The gained experiences of introducing other kinds of clean vehicles can however be transferred to the EV-market conditions and charging infrastructure challenges. That’s why the program is interesting when promoting e-mobility.
Resources needed
There have been adequate staff resources throughout the program’s entire life span. The total estimated financial resources for running the program since 1994: 25 million Euro, plus considerable amounts of national and European grants.
Evidence of success
This long-term commitment achieved a real change towards clean urban mobility. But actual transition and reaching results take time. The program decreased emissions by focusing on both fuels and vehicles. The most evident examples of success are: Today the City’s own fleet of 900 vehicles consists of 99 per cent clean vehicles. Taxi firms, public transport and even many private companies have switched to clean vehicle fleets contributing to a better air quality and decreased GHG emissions.
Potential for learning or transfer
There are several lessons learnt that can be transferred to other cities and regions in Europe:
- Testing and evaluating electric vehicle and charging techniques together with companies and other public stakeholders establishes the necessary increased competence of all involved stakeholders
- Active guiding and assisting companies, policy-makers and interested households contribute to a faster transition of the urban road traffic
- Dedicated work for new public charging infrastructure, based on clear political decisions of the City council, makes e-mobility more reliable for a wider audience
- Well-defined procurement criteria regarding the promotion of clean and electric mobility support the quicker transition of existing vehicle fleets
The transition towards cleaner vehicles in Stockholm has been strongly reinforced by foresighted political decisions and due to the Clean vehicle program. Exchange with other European cities has been/still is an important part of the program.
- Testing and evaluating electric vehicle and charging techniques together with companies and other public stakeholders establishes the necessary increased competence of all involved stakeholders
- Active guiding and assisting companies, policy-makers and interested households contribute to a faster transition of the urban road traffic
- Dedicated work for new public charging infrastructure, based on clear political decisions of the City council, makes e-mobility more reliable for a wider audience
- Well-defined procurement criteria regarding the promotion of clean and electric mobility support the quicker transition of existing vehicle fleets
The transition towards cleaner vehicles in Stockholm has been strongly reinforced by foresighted political decisions and due to the Clean vehicle program. Exchange with other European cities has been/still is an important part of the program.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Swedish ESF-council in Stockholm

Sweden
Stockholm
Contact
Regional planner