Where is the world's first capital city with fully electric public transportation? The answer may be Oslo, Norway.
Oslo's public transport company Ruter recently ordered another 137 electric buses, with delivery expected by the end of 2023. This is part of Oslo's plan to fully electrify public transport by the end of 2023, five years earlier than originally planned.
Oslo, with a population of 700,000, is a leader in sustainable transportation, with an extensive tram and bicycle network, and most of the ferries in the fjord area are electrified.
Another corner of the city has also been quietly changing recently.
The lawn mowers and excavators at Oslo Cemetery have also switched to electric vehicles. The lawns are no longer mowed in a flat, even pattern. Some areas have been restored to wild meadows, where beehives have been installed. The wildflowers in the meadows attract insects, which in turn attract birds and owls, which in turn attract foxes and deer.
Magne Hustavenes, the cemetery's director, told New Yorker writer Nick Romeo that a woman complained that the flowers she had placed at her grave were missing and suspected someone had stolen them. The staff explained that deer had recently been spotted eating the roses in the cemetery. The woman excitedly asked, "What do they like? What kind of flowers should I bring next time?"
City government embraces low-carbon transportation with both carrot and stick
From transport to cemeteries, everything is part of Oslo's zero-carbon city plan. Based on a 2009 baseline, Oslo has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 95% by 2030.
Electric vehicle parking is plentiful and affordable here. The government has also established "net-zero emission zones," restricting access to vehicles with zero carbon emissions. Romeo noted that while some might not mind paying a higher premium, logistics owners worry about losing business within these zones and will be forced to consider electrifying their fleets.
This year (2022), electric vehicle sales in Oslo hit a record high, with electric vehicles accounting for 83% of new cars sold in the first quarter.
"Because electric vehicles have lower maintenance costs, operators also save on operating costs," said Sirin Stav, deputy mayor for environment and transport. "It's a win-win situation."
Budgets are always insufficient and change always angers people.
When it comes to carbon reduction, the city government often cries out, "There's no money." While purchasing electric vehicles and power tools requires budgeting, some policies, such as increasing parking fees, can generate revenue. However, these policies often draw resentment, and Oslo residents are no exception.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/235403)
