Oslo, the capital of Norway, aims to be the first capital city in the world with an all-electric public transport system. So, Oslo is a pioneer in green transport solutions.
Oslo, a city of 700,000 inhabitants, has since 2017 been described as the electric vehicle (EV) capital of the world when battery-powered cars and plug-in hybrids together accounted for more than 50 percent of all new car sales in the capital. The available charging infrastructure was only part of the success.
Now, Oslo has set its goal to become the world’s first wholly emissions-free city by the end of 2023. Norwegian policy makers launched their support for electric cars as early as 1990, but first in recent years, more than 100,000 units with slicker models and better batteries and features are running on the Norwegian roads.
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A 500 million crown (48 million euro) program now aims to replace the capital’s diesel-fueled buses with 450 electric ones. Even though the municipalities plan to relax some of the former incentives, the goal is that all new cars sold in Norway should produce zero or very low emissions by 2025.
“The maintenance of the buses is cheaper so it is a win-win situation,” says Sirin Stav, Oslo’s Vice-Mayor responsible for environment and transport.
More than 5.000 charging points are available in the region today, some of which are fast charging stations which take minutes to charge a battery. The newly built charging stations located in parking lots and garages can charge between 28 and 100 cars simultaneously.
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Now, owners of hydrogen-powered cars can also benefit from the same incentive package as EV drivers had before 2017. With only 50 hydrogen cars on the roads at the moment, the aim is 50.000 units in the years to come.
In the city’s last tender, e-buses were 5 per cent cheaper than diesel equivalents. The planning authorities introduced a 42-actions plan on reducing emissions, including gradually going car free in the city.
Oslo has already electrified most of the ferries that ply the fjord on which it is located. It also has an extensive tram and bike lane network. While the national policy and incentive framework is the main driver for the transition to a green transport sector in Norway, the contribution from regional actors is very important.
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Several of Norway’s major transport and technology developers are cooperating to develop solutions for self-driving buses. The first models for minibuses were tested in limited environments in Oslo in 2016 and the first law project that will regulate these vehicles is currently under development. In the years to come, Oslo will become a learning arena for self-driving vehicles.
Oslo – a pioneer in green transport solutions, written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top): Photo, courtesy ABB