Electric vehicles are good for Zurich
Electric vehicles still have room for improvement in terms of environmental pollution. In the Zurich area, however, they are well suited to reducing overall environmental pollution. This is shown by a study commissioned by the canton and city of Zurich.
A study commissioned by the canton and the city of Zurich compared the overall eco-balances of various vehicles and drive types. The results show that battery-powered vehicles generally enable a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per kilometer, provided they are fueled with low-CO2 electricity. However, electric vehicles are not yet perfect either. Their manufacture, for example, causes particulate matter emissions outside of Switzerland in particular.
As part of the study, the Zurich Mobility Environment Index (ZMU) was created, which weights the environmental indicators specifically for Zurich. The results of the ZMU show that the overall environmental pollution in urban areas can be reduced most effectively with battery electric vehicles.
The results are intended to form a basis for decision-making in the vehicle policy of the city and canton of Zurich. According to the information, the city council wants a consistent conversion of the vehicle fleet to alternative drives. This change is already under way. For example, ERZ Disposal + Recycling Zurich has been using electric delivery vans to empty waste bins on public land since July 2019. In April 2020, ERZ also put the first electrically powered waste collection vehicle into operation.