News item | 14-03-2025 | 15:45
Municipalities, branch organizations and the State Secretary Jansen of Infrastructure and Water Management have made agreements about the implementation of the zero emission zones. Since January 1, 2025, the first 14 municipalities have introduced a zero emission zone and about 15 other municipalities will follow later. In order to make the introduction run smoothly, agreements have been made about, among other things, the penalty -free period, longer delay for delivery vans with emission class 6 and nationally applicable exemptions for entrepreneurs who cannot (yet) make the switch to an electric vehicle.
A zero emission zone is an area where in the long term only emission-free company cars and trucks are allowed to drive. Since January 1, 2025, the first, most polluting vehicles have been banned. Municipalities are introducing the zones to improve air quality and quality of life in those areas and to reduce CO2 emissions.
The agreements were made at the request of the House of Representatives. Firstly, every municipality will set a penalty -free period of at least six months. If there is a local cause, it is a municipality free to use a longer period. A change in the law is also being started to give delivery vans with emission class 6 a year longer. That is favorable for almost half of the company buses, around 46 percent. These two measures give entrepreneurs more time and space for the switch to an electric commercial vehicle.
Finally, the government will monitor the impact of the zero emission zones and work is being done on a new covenant with municipalities. Agreements are made about the exemptions for Netcongestie and for business economic reasons, which do not have to work nationally per municipality, so that it immediately applies to all zones after award. This harmonization in regulations was a clear wish from the outline agreement and the government program.
State Secretary Jansen: “Municipalities, branch organizations, the House of Representatives and the Cabinet share the position that the transition to zero-emissions must go smoothly. We want clean air in our inner cities, but we have to prevent our entrepreneurs from getting around. That is why it is good that we have come to these agreements. “