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. That area is a zero-emission zone (ZEZ). The perimeter of a ZEZ must cover at least the city centre plus surrounding neighbourhoods. You can only enter this area with your van or truck if it does not emit any polluting substances. Such as a car running on electricity or hydrogen.
Check which cities will have zero-emission zones
About 30 to 40 Dutch cities will have zero-emission zones. When the zero-emission zone comes into effect varies per city. Check this on your municipality’s website. 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 of your company car. Business vehicles with an emission class lower than Euro 5 will not be allowed once the ZEZ is launched.
Transitional scheme
There is a transitional scheme for some types of company cars. This allows you to enter a zero-emission zone until a certain date. This applies to:
- 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 no more than 5 years old on 1 January 2025: until 1 January 2030.
- Euro 6 truck (semi-trailer truck) aged up to 8 years on 1 January 2025: until 1 January 2030.
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 can be very long.
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:
Subsidy scheme for zero-emission commercial vehicles (SEBA)
Using the SEBA, you can get up to €5,000 back for the purchase or financial lease of a fully emission-free company vehicle. Read the conditions (in Dutch) you need to meet before applying for the SEBA, and before entering into a final agreement. You can also report the purchase cost with the Environmental Investment Allowance (MIA) to receive a tax benefit.
Purchase subsidy zero-emission trucks (AanZet)
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. The subsidy is expected to open in early April 2023. For these vehicles, you may also combine the purchase with the Environmental Investment Allowance (in Dutch).
Provide charging stations nearby
A charging point is essential for an electric company car. In some cases, you are even required to have at least 1 charging station on your premises. Would you like to have a charging station installed at your premises? You can apply for a charging post from your municipality via the platform laadpaalnodig.nl (in Dutch). Or check ANWB.nl (in Dutch) to see if there are any public charging posts nearby.