Zero-emission zones to be introduced in many cities from 2025
Do you use a van or truck for your business that is powered by petrol or diesel? And do you deliver goods to customers in an inner city area? From 1 January 2025, certain company cars will not be allowed to enter many inner cities. A zero-emission zone (emission-free area) may then apply.
What is a zero-emission zone?
From 1 January 2025, municipalities in the Netherlands are allowed to designate an urban area where no polluting vans and trucks are allowed to drive. The goal is to reduce particulate matter and CO2 emissions in cities. That area is a zero-emission zone (ZEZ). The perimeter of a ZEZ must cover at least the city centre and possibly surrounding neighbourhoods. You can only enter this area with your van or truck if it does not emit any polluting substances. For example, a car running on electricity or hydrogen.
Check which cities will have zero-emission zones
Zero-emission zones will be established in 29 cities between 2025 and 2030. In which year the zero-emission zone will take effect varies by city. Find out which cities have already announced a zero-emission zone (in Dutch).
Which company vehicles are allowed in a zero-emission zone?
Whether you can enter a zero-emission zone depends on the emission class (in Dutch) of your company car. All new vans and trucks will be allowed to enter the ZE zone only if they are emission-free. This concerns company cars that will be registered from 1 January 2025 (date of first admission). Delivery vans with an emission class Euro 4 or lower and trucks manufactured before 2017 are not allowed to enter the ZE zones.
Transitional period until 2030
There is a transitional period (in Dutch) for some types of company cars. Cleaner vans and younger trucks running on petrol, diesel or LPG are allowed to enter the ZE zone for a little longer. The following applies:
- Euro 5 delivery van: until 1 January 2027.
- Euro 6 delivery van: until 1 January 2028.
- Euro 6 truck (box truck or tipper truck) that is on 1 January 2025 no more than 5 years old: until 1 January 2030.
- Euro 6 truck (semi-trailer truck) aged up to 8 years on 1 January 2025: until 1 January 2030.
Exemptions and dispensations
Are you not allowed to enter the ZE zones with your vehicle? For example, your vehicle is too old (old-timer) and you fall outside the transitional regime. Sometimes you can make use of an exemption or dispensation. An exemption is based on registration number and is granted automatically. You must apply for an dispensation (in Dutch) yourself.
Switch to a zero-emission company vehicle
Is your company vehicle due for replacement? Consider switching to a van or truck powered by electricity or hydrogen. Then you can be sure that your company car will be allowed to enter a zero-emission zone. Take into account that sometimes delivery times for new cars can be very long.
Provide charging stations nearby
For an electric company car, a charging point (laadpaal) is indispensable. Sometimes you even need to have at least 1 charging station on your premises. Would you like to install a charging station at your business? You can apply for a charging post in your municipality via the platform laadpaalnodig.nl (in Dutch). Or check whether there are public charging posts nearby.
Apply for a subsidy
The government has measures to help you reduce costs when buying zero-emission vans or trucks.
Take a look at these subsidies:
With the AanZet, you will be reimbursed a percentage if you buy or lease a zero-emission truck. The percentage you are reimbursed depends on the type of truck and the size of your business. Read the conditions (in Dutch) before you enter into a final agreement. For these vehicles, you may also combine the purchase with the Environmental Investment Allowance (in Dutch).
The SPULA scheme is aimed at entrepreneurs who invest in charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles. For example, Charge Point Operators (CPOs) or petrol station. It allows you to build or expand a network of charging stations for heavy electric vehicles. The location must always be publicly accessible.
The SPRILA subsidy is for entrepreneurs who want to have charging infrastructure built on their premises, or get advice on it. The location where the charging infrastructure will be located, such as your car park or parking spaces, must be privately accessible.
Do you want to invest in hydrogen vehicles or hydrogen refuelling stations? Partnerships can apply for the Hydrogen in Mobility Subsidy (Subsidieregeling Waterstof in Mobiliteit, SWIM). The grant helps you buy hydrogen vehicles or convert existing vehicles to hydrogen (retrofitting). There is also a grant to build new hydrogen refuelling stations.
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Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO