Author | Elvira Esparza

Transportation accounts for 72% of CO2 emissions, according to the European Environment Agency, with cars contributing 60% of these emissions. To reach carbon neutrality, greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector must be reduced by 90% by 2050. Smart cities play a crucial role in meeting this challenge.

Sustainable mobility is a defining feature of smart cities, aimed at creating healthier, pollution-free environments. However, this vision often conflicts with the persistent issue of traffic congestion in urban areas. Therefore, measures must be implemented to develop “green” and sustainable transportation systems in cities by 2030.

What changes are smart cities implementing in transportation to achieve this objective?

• The creation of efficient and interconnected public transportation networks, with the incorporation of new mobility options such as shared bicycles, electric scooters, and car sharing, along with walkable spaces separated from traffic.
• The replacement of fossil-fueled vehicles with electric vehicles to reduce environmental pollution.
• The use of technology to improve traffic. Through the integration of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence, smart transportation systems can be developed to connect various devices, such as vehicles, traffic lights, and road signs. This connectivity helps prevent traffic jams and improves access for emergency vehicles.

The top 15 cities with the greenest transport

The EU has set a target to reduce car emissions by 55% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this goal, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned starting in 2035, and measures have been approved to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.

Europe is not alone in the race to reduce environmental pollution; other countries, including South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, have also implemented similar measures to cut emissions. In South Korea, government grants for purchasing eco-friendly vehicles have significantly boosted the market, making the country the second largest in Asia for electric car sales, behind China. Japan ranks third, with a slower-growing market for electric vehicles, as the country has primarily focused on hybrid vehicles. Despite being a major oil producer, Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious goal to produce 500,000 electric cars by 2030.

In analyzing European capitals to determine which has the greenest transportation, we assessed the volume of electric vehicles, electric buses, and charging stations. To identify the leaders in promoting cycling, we focused on the number of bike rental companies and the total number of kilometers of bike lanes in each city. By comparing these data with the pollution levels in these cities, we have developed the following ranking:

1. London

The city stands out with 80,000 electric vehicles on its roads and over 11,000 charging stations, ensuring easy access for drivers. The electric bus network is highly advanced, with 1,397 buses currently in operation, and the city aims to transition to a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2034. Thanks to these sustainable transportation options, London maintains a moderate pollution level of 8.40, despite being one of the largest cities in Europe. This has positioned it at the top of the green transportation ranking with a score of 5.87.

2. Amsterdam

The city stands out for having more bicycles than cars on its roads, with a notable portion of these being electric—around 15,000. These electric vehicles have access to over 13,000 charging stations across the city. Residents of Amsterdam benefit from over 800 km of bike lanes and a wide range of bike rental companies. With a score of 5.71, it ranks second on the list.

3. Vienna

There are 18,000 electric vehicles on the roads of the Austrian capital, although the number of charging stations is relatively low, with only 1,374 available. The city’s public transportation consists of a comprehensive network of subways, trams, and buses, with 150 of the buses being electric. Vienna also boasts an extensive network of bike lanes, totaling 1,300 km, along with numerous bike rental services. As a result, the city achieves a high score for green transportation.

4. Berlin

With a strong commitment to sustainability, Berlin ranks highly in electric cars (30,000), charging stations (3,800), and electric buses (230). Notably, the city’s first electric buses were introduced nearly a decade ago. Bicycles are also a key mode of transport for Berlin residents, who benefit from 1,000 km of cycle lanes throughout the city. Thanks to this infrastructure, Berlin achieves a score of 5.52.

5. Helsinki

It stands out as the European city with the highest number of meters of bike lanes per inhabitant: 2.05. It boasts a total of 1,301 km of bike lanes, which traverse parks, industrial areas, streets, and even islands. Additionally, Helsinki has over 25,000 electric cars and 450 electric buses, contributing to its pollution rate below 5. This places the city in fifth position in the ranking, with a score of 5.36.

6. Paris

The city has made a strong commitment to sustainable mobility, with a network of 500 electric buses and over 20,000 electric cars on its streets. It has a significantly higher penetration of electric vehicles compared to other European cities, largely due to government support measures. However, the city is now phasing out some incentives, such as free parking for electric vehicles. Despite its pollution rate of 10.30, Paris still achieves a relatively high score of 5.25 in the ranking.

7. Oslo

This is the European capital with the highest number of electric cars (95,466), highlighting Norway’s position as the leading country in Europe for electric vehicle adoption. With electric vehicles holding an 80% market share, Norway is on track to soon have more electric cars on its roads than petrol cars. Along with a fleet of 150 electric buses, Oslo’s extensive use of electric vehicles contributes to its low pollution level (6.9), positioning the city closer to achieving zero emissions compared to other European cities. With a score of 5.20, it is in seventh position.

8. Andorra

Although the city has very few electric cars (100) and electric buses (10), it ranks well in the green transportation index due to its low pollution level (5.50), largely attributed to its natural environment. Thanks to its low pollution levels, the city ranks among the top ten capitals for green transportation, with a score of 4.97.

9. Brussels

The presence of electric vehicles on the roads in the Belgian capital (14,000) aligns with the average of other European capitals, although its penetration rate remains comparatively lower. In terms of public transportation, the network is less extensive, with only 75 electric buses in operation. However, bicycles play a significant role as a mode of transport, with over 650 km of bike lanes, helping the city achieve a score of 4.93 in the ranking.

10. Luxembourg

The city’s small size makes its 500 km of bike lanes sufficient to cover the city, although it operates with only 30 electric buses. However, the presence of electric vehicles (10,000) plays a significant role in maintaining a relatively low pollution level (8.80), and a score of 4.61 in the ranking.

Despite the growth in electric car sales and government efforts to promote green, inclusive, and shared transportation, we are still far from meeting the targets needed to address the climate emergency effectively.

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Methodology 

All European countries were included however only the ones whose information was available for all metrics are part of the final list.

• Number of electric vehicles – Several sources, available upon request
• Number of public EV chargers – Source
• Cycling routes – Several sources, available upon request
• Public bicycle renting companies – Several sources, available upon request
• Bus Fare – Several sources, available upon request
• Air pollution levels – Source
• Number of airports – Several sources, available upon request
• Number of electric public buses – Several sources, available upon request

All data points have been indexed in order to allow the comparison and obtain the overall position.

All the data was gathered in September 2024