Why Have Europe's Car Capitals Embraced Eco-Friendly Vehicles?
A Policy Comparison: Berlin, London, Paris, and Amsterdam
Europe is the birthplace of the automobile. Brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Renault, and Peugeot all originated here. Yet today, many of Europe’s major cities are bidding farewell to the internal combustion engine. Once dubbed the "capitals of the automobile," these cities now lead the transition to eco-friendly mobility. Cities are no longer mere road networks for cars—they are evolving into ecosystems where sustainable transportation and climate goals coexist.
In this article, we take a close look at how four major European cities—Berlin, London, Paris, and Amsterdam—are promoting the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles in 2025, and how their strategies differ from one another.
Berlin: The Deliberate but Steady German Transition
Germany, as the home of the automotive industry and Europe’s largest exporter, has taken a cautious approach to the green transition. Berlin, however, is different. As the nation’s capital and cultural-administrative hub, Berlin has pursued environmental policies early on to improve air quality and boost urban competitiveness. In 2008, it introduced Germany’s first environmental zone (Umweltzone), signaling the start of a greener city strategy.
By 2025, Berlin is implementing a detailed roadmap for an eco-friendly transportation system. Older diesel vehicles are gradually being banned from the city center, while the share of low-emission vehicles in new registrations is rapidly increasing. The number of EV charging stations has more than tripled since 2020, now exceeding 3,500. The city aims to convert 40% of all vehicles to zero-emission models by 2030.
London: ULEZ and Regulation-Driven Mobility Innovation
London operates one of the world’s most stringent vehicle emission control systems—ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). Introduced in 2019 and expanded citywide in 2023, London is now almost entirely covered by emission control zones.
ULEZ imposes a daily fee of £12.50 (about 20,000 KRW) on vehicles that don’t meet Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 gasoline standards. This serves as a powerful incentive for citizens to switch to EVs. As a result, EV adoption in London surged from about 7% in 2020 to roughly 32% in 2025. The city also boasts over 10,000 charging points, a growing electric bus fleet, and a policy mandating 100% zero-emission taxis.
Paris: From Diesel Capital to Decarbonized City
At one point, diesel vehicles made up around 70% of France’s car fleet, with Paris as the epicenter. But since 2015, a dramatic shift toward electric vehicles has been underway. The Crit’Air system classifies vehicles into six emission categories, restricting access based on pollution levels.
As of 2025, Crit’Air category 4 and below vehicles are banned from most areas in central Paris—mainly affecting pre-2006 diesel and pre-1997 gasoline cars. The city plans to ban all internal combustion vehicles by 2030. To meet this goal, Paris is expanding public charging infrastructure, offering EV purchase subsidies, and promoting low-emission car-sharing programs.
Amsterdam: From Bike Capital to Smart EV City
Amsterdam has long been a leader in urban environmental policy. Thanks to its extensive bicycle lanes and public transit system, car usage has always been relatively low. Now, the city is undergoing a rapid transformation toward electric vehicles.
By 2025, around 40% of new vehicle registrations in Amsterdam are electric, with EVs accounting for over 15% of the total vehicle fleet. The electrification of logistics and delivery vehicles is accelerating, and services like electric van deliveries and EV car-sharing are expanding. The city aims to become a “Zero Emission Zone” by 2030, with more than 25,000 public charging points planned.
EV Penetration by City
- London: About 32% of all registered vehicles are EVs or PHEVs
- Paris: Diesel share has dropped below 35%, EV registration rate is around 22% and rising
- Amsterdam: EVs make up 15% of the total fleet, with 40% of new registrations being electric
- Berlin: EV penetration is around 18%, with 15–20% annual growth
Growth speed and policy integration matter more than penetration rates alone.
How Cities Are Reshaping Urban Spaces
The shift to eco-friendly cars goes beyond transportation—it redefines urban spatial design.
- Paris is reducing car lanes, expanding bike lanes, and converting parking lots into pedestrian and green spaces.
- London is building green corridors and enlarging pedestrian zones in connection with broader ecological planning.
- Amsterdam is redesigning urban traffic through initiatives like “car-free streets.”
These changes show that cities aim not just to increase EVs, but to build harmony between mobility and the environment.
Policy Comparison: Similarities and Differences
The four cities share common strategies:
- Phased roadmaps to phase out internal combustion vehicles
- EV subsidies and infrastructure support
- Emission-based access restrictions to enforce compliance
Yet their approaches differ in tone and tools:
London is regulation-driven, Paris combines rating systems with infrastructure,
Berlin takes a gradual industry-aligned approach, while Amsterdam integrates EVs into urban planning.
Public Response and Policy Backlash
- London faced protests against ULEZ expansion, with some enforcement cameras even vandalized.
- Paris saw criticism over equity concerns, as driving restrictions disproportionately affected low-income residents.
- Berlin and Amsterdam adopted participatory policy design, minimizing backlash. Amsterdam also provides EV-sharing and subsidies for low-income households to ease the transition.
Ultimately, policy success depends not on strict rules but on public acceptance and social consensus.
Europe’s Dilemma: Cities vs. Industry
European cities are accelerating ICE bans, but the auto industry is struggling to keep pace. While cities lead with environmental regulations and spatial redesign, manufacturers are hindered by sluggish EV demand, high production costs, and employment concerns.
In recent years, many automakers have adjusted EV investment plans or opted for hybrid compromises. Volkswagen and BMW continue offering ICE models alongside EVs. Some countries are even advocating for synthetic fuel exemptions. This divergence in pace—same goal, different speeds—is the essence of Europe’s green dilemma.
A Glimpse into the Future of Urban Mobility
As of 2025, major European cities are embracing EV policies as a way to address climate change, air quality, and urban competitiveness. This is not only a shift in the automotive industry but a complete reimagination of the urban fabric itself.
Asian cities, including Seoul, must now move beyond mere EV promotion and begin to reconsider urban structures and citizens’ lifestyles. The European experience offers a valuable reference point.
In the next post, we’ll explore examples from North America—Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver!
Comments
Post a Comment