Banning Cars in Cities: Is It Possible To Do?

One of the biggest causes of climate change are the use of cars around the world. Cars run on fossil fuels, and produce more emissions than even ships and planes.

It’s probably impractical to believe major countries will ever be banning cars in cities. But perhaps it’s not impractical to believe much less of them will be on the road one day. Here are a few cities finding innovate ways to limit the amount of cars on the road.

1. Ghent, Belgium

Ghent plans to ban all diesel vehicles in their low emission zone by 2031. They also plan to do the same with petrol cars by 2035. Low emission zones are areas of cities that restrict polluting vehicles in order to improve air quality.

2. Oslo, Norway

There are currently not many public parking spots in Oslo, Norway. They’ve chosen to eliminate them with exceptions for local businesses or disabled individuals. The country is working to be carbon neutral by 2030.

They’ve redesigned the downtown for more walking and bicycling. Restricted vehicles can still use some roads within the city center. But with less parking lots, it discourages people from driving as much.

According to one business owner, there are basically no cars downtown anymore. As a result of the changes there were 10% more pedestrians in the area, which is good for businesses that worried about losing customers. Norway is one of the most sustainable countries in the world.

3. Paris, France

Paris had planned to create a car free city center in 2024. There’s a plan for a ban on private vehicles with the exception of older vehicles to help with improving air quality and decreasing congestions. There’s also a plan to have a total ban of gas powered cars by 2030.

What About the United States, China, and India?

It’s good that European countries are making efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions caused by cars. But there won’t be much of an impact unless the three biggest producers of greenhouse gas emissions actually do something. So it’s important to know what these countries are doing about banning cars.

Banning Cars in the United States

Currently, most of the cities that have made an effort to ban cars are small ones. These cities include:

• Bald Head Island, North Carolina,
• Mackinac Island, Michigan
• Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
• Governors Island, New York
• Santa Catalina Island, California

But what about New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and many other cities filled with cars on a daily basis. Two of these cities are working to implement a ban on new sales of vehicles contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Otherwise, there are no plans to ban cars outright from certain areas of these cities.

But I guess you would have to wonder if it’s even practical. There are millions of people in these cities who would need a new way to get to work.

But perhaps the increase of public transportation would create more new jobs. In the cases of people who are close enough to walk to work, that would probably help to improve the well being of citizens. But cars are so baked into the operation of our society, it would seem like it would take years of consistent effort and willingness of people to change for anything to happen, which sounds like a lot to be ask for.

Banning Cars in China

China makes more money on cars than the US. They also make a pretty penny on oil as well.

But, there is an AP article that mentions a province is planning to ban a sale on gasoline cars. Hainan island is working to be the first region that bans both gasoline and diesel powered cars sales by 2030.

The Communist Party wants to focus more on electric cars to clean up the smog filled cities in China. Still, banning these sales in Beijing or Shanghai would make much more of a difference.

Banning Cars in India

There wasn’t really much information out there about whether India had any plans to ban cars in any cities. One source noted that they were considering a ban in certain cities.

Oil Companies Won’t Give Up Their Profit

This is the other issue. Oil companies are not just going to give up their profit for the sake of the planet. The oil industry makes billions of dollars a year.

Their lobbyists consistently obstruct policies related to climate and environmental protection. In 2022 alone, the fossil fuel industry spent 125.05 million dollars to influence the government. And they’re not giving all of this money just to get nothing done for them.

Fossil fuel industry lobbyists receive staff jobs for congressman and even positions in the White House. And with their people in there, they can help guide the government towards policies that allow them to continue to profit.

Car Companies Ending Gas Car Sales

While a ban on cars in major cities is unlikely all around the world, maybe there’s some hope. There are major automakers that are planning to end all gas car sales. These car companies include:

• Dodge
• Fiat
• Jeep
• Chrysler

Nine states are also working on an all out ban on cars with internal combustion engines. In theory, this would mean more future sales on electric cars.

Electric Car Industry Needs More Profit

If cars are never banned, and the oil industry is just going to continue to lobby, then the electric car needs to be more profitable.

Money motivates all of these industries. If people are buying electric than gas cars, than the companies will invest more in electric cars.

As a result, there are less investments in oil and gas powered cars. But it’s no small feat because these vehicles need to become more affordable for people to buy them. That, or people need to be able to have more money in their pockets to buy them.

It’s a complex issue that involves various factors that aren’t all entirely controllable. The best solution may be to find more ways to get people around without having to need a car.