Electric cars should get a smaller discount in the toll ring. If not, the goal of zero growth in car traffic will fail.
Published:
3 April 2024 at 21:34
Updated:
3 April 2024 at 21:34
You are now reading an editorial. It expresses Adresseavisen’s opinion.
Passenger car traffic in the Trondheim area is increasing. Measurements in 2022 showed that traffic was about three percent higher than before the pandemic. Since then, traffic has continued to increase. According to researchers at the Transport Economics Institute (TØI), traffic around the big cities can increase by between 15 and 20 per cent until 2030, reports P4.
The increase occurs despite the fact that the state has entered into agreements with four large cities – including Trondheim – with the aim that car traffic should not increase. Through the urban growth agreement, the state has contributed billions of dollars to better public transport, cheaper train tickets and more and better routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
Transport researchers expect a large increase in car traffic in urban areas
In an evaluation of the urban growth agreements, TØI emphasizes that the increased share of electric cars is an obstacle to achieving the goal of zero growth. Driving with an electric car replaces public transport, cycling and walking, says the report.
The Norwegian electric car initiative has been a success. Through reduced purchase taxes, lower tolls and other benefits such as driving in public transport lanes, sales of electric cars have exploded. Nine out of ten new cars that are registered are electric cars.
It is good. But even if greenhouse gas emissions fall, electric cars contribute to more road wear, particulate matter and longer queues. The report from TØI states that it will be necessary to “strengthen the use of means” to reduce car traffic. Increased tolls are most effective, as they “attack the problem directly”.
Driving in the city will be worse
The time is ripe to reduce some of the benefits for electric drivers. In Trondheim, electric cars get about a 60 percent discount in the toll ring. In comparison, the electric car discount in Stavanger is only 30 per cent. In the first instance, it should therefore be more natural to reduce the electric car discount rather than increase toll rates for everyone.
Traffic growth must is stopped. More cars will blow up the capacity on the roads. At the same time, Trondheim risks losing state support in the urban growth agreement. It will be extra dramatic when the city is already in a serious budget situation.
Tags: Electric cars contribute
