Mobility Barometer 2025

Ban on gas-powered cars in city centers? Polarization is growing

Cleaner air and better health are among the main arguments as several European cities introduce bans on gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. But the restrictions divide the public – with opponents now more than twice as many as supporters.

Stockholm, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Barcelona are just a few of the European cities whose city councils have already implemented or plan to implement restrictions on fossil-fueled vehicles. In many cases, these include specific zones where cars are currently prohibited, combined with long-term plans for complete bans.

The idea? To create cleaner urban environments, improve public health, and reduce climate impact.

But the issue continues to divide opinions. In fact, public attitudes toward fossil-fuel bans have become even more polarized compared with 2024.

Views diverge further

A majority – 52 percent – do not think it’s a good idea to impose bans in city centers, up from 50 percent last year. The opposition is especially strong among those who are firmly against the bans: that group has grown to 35 percent, compared with 28 percent last year.

At the same time, 19 percent say bans are a good idea – the same as in 2024.

In other words, opponents now outnumber supporters by more than two to one.

Who’s most negative – and positive?

Finns are by far the most negative, while Swedes are the least negative. Norwegians – who drive the most EVs per capita in the world – are the most positive, followed closely by Danes.

City residents are also somewhat more open to banning gas and diesel cars in urban cores than those living in more sparsely populated areas.

And what about those who already drive fossil-free vehicles? Unsurprisingly, EV owners are the only group where supporters outnumber opponents.