Controversy as Oslo bans diesel cars

File picture: Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters.

File picture: Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters.

Published Jan 17, 2017

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The Oslo City Council imposed ban on diesel cars from entering the city center as a measure to counter air pollution, media reported on Monday.

Diesel cars will be banned from entering central streets of the Norwegian capital between 6am. and 10pm, the Guardian newspaper reported, citing Oslo’s city council. Motorists that violate the ban will have to pay a fine of 1500 kroner (R2400).

According to the city council, it could be lifted through a special announcement as soon as Thursday, if atmospheric conditions improve, media reported.

The measure angered some Norwegian motorists who were encouraged in 2006 to buy diesel cars instead of petrol ones.

"Not only did they recommend that motorists buy diesel cars, they also changed the taxes to make them less expensive. That led to a lot of people buying a car that they can’t use now," member of Norwegian Parliament from the populist right Progress Party Mazyar Keshvari said as cited by the media.

This is the first time such ban has been imposed in Oslo. The city council has agreed on the principal decision to use a temporary diesel ban as a measure against air pollution in February 2016.

Sputnik

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