Zero-emission zones: what do they mean for your deliveries?

What are zero-emission zones?

No more exhaust fumes from trucks or vans in the city. That is the purpose of zero-emission zones, also known as emission-free zones. These are areas in municipalities you can only enter if your van or truck does not emit any harmful substances. That means you cannot enter these zones with a diesel, petrol, or LPG-fuelled van or truck. Electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered transport are always allowed to enter the zones.

The emission-free zones should reduce particulate matter and CO2 emissions. The rules are part of the Dutch government’s Climate Agenda, a broad national strategy to fight climate change. 

Between 2025 and 2028, 29 municipalities (in Dutch) will introduce zero-emission zones (ZE zones). These are Almere, Alphen aan den Rijn, Amersfoort, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Assen, Delft, Den Bosch, Den Haag, Deventer, Dordrecht, Ede, Eindhoven, Enschede, Gouda, Groningen, Haarlem, Hilversum, Hoorn, Leiden, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Schiphol, Utrecht, Zaanstad, and Zwolle.

Most cities will start the zone in 2025, but the effective date may vary from one municipality to another. Leiden, for example, will apply the zone in 2025 and Almere will follow in 2028. So, make sure you know which date applies (in Dutch) in the municipality(s) where you work, or visit regularly.

Rules for vans and trucks

Polluting vans and trucks are not allowed in the zero-emission zones. This includes box trucks, tipper trucks, and semi-trailer trucks. Passenger cars do not have to follow the ZEe rules. Zero-emission zone entry rules apply to both existing and new vehicles. To ensure you have time to prepare, there is a transitional arrangement. This arrangement allows some existing vans running on diesel, petrol, or LPG to enter the ZE zones for a little longer.

The entry rules differ for vans and trucks. Check the rules below to see if your van or truck is covered by the transitional arrangement. 

Van entry rules

For existing vans, access to the ZE zone depends on the emission standard. The emission standard defines how clean your vehicle is. The higher the emission standard, the lower the emissions of harmful substances such as CO2 and particulates. Want to know whether your van can enter a zero-emission zone? Check with the zero-emissions licence plate check (in Dutch).

All new vans registered from 1 January 2025 must be zero-emission. So, if you buy a van in or after 2025, this vehicle must not emit any harmful substances. Similarly, if you order a van now and only get it in 2025, the vehicle must be emission-free to enter the zones. Other rules are:

• Vans with an emission standard Euro 4 or lower do not have access to the ZE zones.
• Vans with an emission standard Euro 5 have access to the ZE zone until 1 January 2027.
• Vans with an emission standard Euro 6 have access to the ZE zone until 1 January 2028.

There are a few exceptions. Certain vehicles are allowed to enter the zones despite the above rules. These include:

• Vintage cars. These are vehicles 40 years or older.
• Vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.
• Vehicles that have been modified for €500 or more to accommodate a disability.

For these types of vehicles, you will automatically receive an exemption based on your registration number. Do you not receive an automatic exemption for your vehicle? Then you can apply for an exemption (in Dutch). You can also apply for an exemption if, for example, your new electric van has not yet been delivered. 

Truck entry rules 

For existing trucks, access to the zones depends on the Date of First Admission (DET). This is the date your vehicle was registered. All new trucks registered from 1 January 2025 must be emission-free to enter ZE zones. In addition, the following rules apply to box or tipper trucks and semi-trailer trucks:

• Euro 6 box or tipper trucks with a Date of First Approval (DET) between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019 will have access to the ZE zones until 1 January 2028.
• Euro 6 box or tipper trucks that are up to 5 years old (from DET) on 1 January 2025 will have access to the ZE zones until 1 January 2030.
• Euro 6 semi-trailer trucks that are up to 8 years old (from DET) on 1 January 2025 will have access to the ZE zones until 1 January 2030.

As with vans, there are also exceptions to the entry rules for trucks (in Dutch). For example, for vintage trucks, fairground and circus trucks, or removal vans. 

Emission-free transport: what are the options?

Is your current van or truck no longer allowed to enter zero-emission zones? Then look at other options for transport. Can you invest in an electric van? Or switch to other inner-city transport? Perhaps a cargo bike or light electric vehicle (LEV) is an option for you. You could also explore whether a city hub suits you. A city hub is a collection point on the edge of the city (in Dutch), outside the ZE zone. Companies can bring their goods here. A transport company then brings the packages to the city centre in emission-free vehicles.

Subsidies and schemes

Are you switching to zero-emission transport? Then you can make use of various subsidies or tax breaks. For example, you can use the SEBA for the purchase of your electric van. With the MIA, Vamil, or KIA schemes you can write off part of your investment costs.

Also, some municipalities with emission-free zones offer help to entrepreneurs who want to switch to clean transport. For example, a free consultation, subsidies for scrapping old vans, or free trials of  different means of transport. Ask your municipality about the possibilities or check your options at Doehetzero.nl (in Dutch).