What changes?

• A time window for freight and delivery vehicles will apply to the entire city center starting in 2026: loading and unloading is allowed between 06:00 and 10:00.
• In the loading area (the quays and streets along the canals), delivery vehicles up to 3,500 kg are allowed.
• For the rest of the city center, a maximum vehicle weight of 7,500 kg (TTM) applies.
• Clean vehicles (electric) can apply for an exemption for longer time windows until the end of 2027.
• For specific target groups, such as market entrepreneurs, construction traffic, or technical service providers, custom solutions via exemptions will remain possible.

With these measures, the municipality of Utrecht aims to improve livability in the city center, protect vulnerable parts of the historic center, such as the wharf cellars, and accelerate the transition to emission-free urban logistics.

Why this adjustment?
The city is growing, and with more residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs, the demand for goods transport is also increasing. Without adjustments, the number of freight movements would continue to rise. These changes aim to change that.
The measures have been developed in consultation with entrepreneurs, carriers, and the Advisory Committee on Supply Utrecht (CABU).

Consequences for carriers and entrepreneurs
Carriers will need to adapt their way of working to the new rules. They will need to revise their trip planning and routes and make more use of smaller or electric vehicles. It will also become more attractive, and in some cases necessary, to have goods delivered via city hubs or to use water transport. Additionally, bundling goods will become increasingly important, so that multiple deliveries can be combined.

The expectation is that about 30% of small shipments will be transported bundled in the future. To accelerate this transition, the municipality will start a trial after the summer where entrepreneurs can temporarily try out light electric freight vehicles, such as cargo bikes or electric trailers, for free. There will also be efforts to expand the capacity for supply via water, as the existing electric boats that currently supply hospitality and shops are often already full.

Together with the city
The principles of the policy have already been established, but the exact implementation will be further developed this summer. The municipality asks entrepreneurs, residents, and carriers to think along about practical matters, such as time windows, exemption possibilities, and bottlenecks.
From mid-August, the draft traffic decisions will be available for six weeks. During this period, stakeholders can submit their views. In the autumn, the final decisions will be made.

For more information: www.utrecht.nl/stadslogistiek