A zero-emission zone is an area where, in the long term, only emission-free commercial vehicles and trucks are allowed to operate. Since January 1, 2025, the first, most polluting vehicles are being banned. Municipalities are implementing these zones to improve air quality and livability in those areas and reduce CO2 emissions.
The agreements were made at the request of the House of Representatives. Firstly, each municipality will establish a penalty-free period of at least six months. If there is a local reason to do so, a municipality is free to adopt a longer period. A legislative amendment process will also be initiated to grant vans with emission class 6 an additional year of deferral. This is beneficial for almost half of the commercial vans, about 46 percent. These two measures give entrepreneurs more time and space to switch to an electric commercial vehicle.
Finally, the cabinet will monitor the impact of the zero-emission zones and is working on a new covenant with municipalities. Agreements will be made regarding exemptions for network congestion and for economic reasons, which should not operate on a municipal basis but nationwide, so that they apply immediately to all zones after approval. This harmonization in regulations was a clear wish from the framework agreement and the government program.
Secretary of State Jansen: “Municipalities, industry organizations, the House of Representatives, and the cabinet share the view that the transition to zero-emission zones must proceed smoothly. We want clean air in our city centers, but we must prevent our entrepreneurs from getting caught in the middle. Therefore, it is good that we have come to these agreements.”