Safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists and cleaner air. Reduced CO2 emissions. These are the goals of the new traffic regulations in and around Arnhems city center, effective from June 1, 2026. On that date, the zero-emission zone will start and the existing environmental zone will be tightened.

Zero Emission Zone and Environmental Zone

The zero emission zone and the environmental zone are officially two separate regulations but apply to the same area: all streets and roads within the city center ring up to the Rijnkade. A large part of the city center ring itself is also included in the zones.

Safe and Healthy

Alderman for Sustainable Mobility Nermina Kundić: “The city center must be a place where you can walk and cycle safely, where children can play, and where everyone can enjoy clean air. Currently, many polluting delivery vans and trucks drive through the city daily, including in pedestrian areas. This causes unsafe situations and pollutes the air. That must change. With the zero emission zone and the stricter environmental zone, we make the city safer, healthier, and more pleasant.”

Only Clean Vehicles Allowed

The zero emission zone applies to delivery vans and trucks. From June 1, 2026, only vehicles that emit no harmful substances such as nitrogen, soot, and fine dust may gradually drive in this area. Older delivery vans and trucks will be the first to be banned from the zone, while less polluting vehicles may continue until January 1, 2030, at the latest. The introduction of the zone was announced in 2023 so that entrepreneurs could prepare. They could make use of free advice from a special zero emission advisor from the municipality.

Stricter Environmental Zone

The existing environmental zone will also become stricter. From June 1, only diesel passenger cars with at least emission class 5 (allowed from around 2009) and diesel buses with at least emission class 6 (allowed from around 2014) may enter the zone. The environmental zone no longer applies to delivery vans and trucks. These vehicles now fall under the stricter rules of the zero emission zone. The emission class of a vehicle can be found on the registration certificate or via the RDW website.

Exemptions and Support

Kundić: “Such a change has a major impact. Not everyone can easily switch to a new vehicle. We take that into account. That is why the introduction of the zero emission zone is gradual and various exemptions are possible. The zero emission advisor remains available for free advice.” Exemptions are possible, for example, for vehicles adapted for people with disabilities, for plug-in hybrid cars, or if no emission-free variant of a vehicle is yet available. Day exemptions are also possible.

More information is available at www.arnhem.nl/milieuzone and www.arnhem.nl/zero-emissiezone.

New Traffic Sign for the Combined Zero Emission and Environmental Zone

  • The top sign indicates that you are entering the zone and formally means ‘closed for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trucks or buses due to emission requirements’.
  • The signs below indicate which vehicles the zone applies to. From top to bottom:
    • Zero emission zone for commercial vehicles and trucks, accessible to emission-free vehicles.
    • Environmental zone for diesel passenger cars, accessible for emission classes 5 and 6.
    • Environmental zone for buses, accessible for buses emission class 6.