In recent years, the number of cars registered in the Eurometropolis has steadily increased. However, for the first time since 2015, the region recorded a significant decline between 2022 and 2023. The number of cars fell by 2.83%, according to figures from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This decline is particularly noticeable in Strasbourg.
The trend is encouraging, as it shows that more and more people are opting for more sustainable modes of transport. Since 2018, fewer and fewer diesel cars have been registered and in circulation in the Strasbourg conurbation. The decline has even accelerated: between 2022 and 2023, the number of diesel cars fell by 8.5%, compared to 6.2% between 2021 and 2022.
At the same time, the number of cars with a category E sticker, which is considered the most environmentally friendly, increased from around 3,000 in 2022 to 4,210 in 2023. Nevertheless, these cars only make up 1.8% of the local vehicle fleet. Cars with a category 5 sticker are still estimated at 5,518, i.e. 2.1% of the cars registered in the Eurometropolis. Together with cars without a sticker, they are among the most polluting.
Air quality in large urban areas such as the Eurometropolis is a serious problem. Poor air quality can cause heart, lung and brain diseases as well as cancer and is blamed for an average of 500 premature deaths per year in the Eurometropolis. Those living near major roads are particularly affected.
Air pollution also causes 15 to 30% of new cases of asthma in children and certain chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in adults aged 65 and over. In addition, nitrogen dioxide limits are still too high in areas close to traffic.
To counteract this problem, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg has set up an environmental zone in which cars with a 5 and 4 sticker are prohibited. Anyone who enters the zone anyway must expect a fine. The ban on sticker 3 will only be penalised with a fine from 2025. This is an important step towards improving air quality and reducing health risks for the population.
However, poor air quality also has considerable socio-economic costs. For a city the size of Strasbourg, the health costs associated with air pollution are estimated at 268 million euros, or 955 euros per inhabitant.
The reduction in the number of cars in the Eurometropolis is a positive sign. It shows that we are moving in the right direction. But there is still a lot to do. We must continue to promote more sustainable modes of transport and take measures to improve air quality. This is the only way we can protect the health of our population and make our contribution to climate protection.