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, a zero-emission zone may apply, meaning your company vehicle will no longer be allowed to drive into many city centres. All company vans and trucks in a ZE-zone must then be emission-free.
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 plus 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
About 30 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 (in Dutch) of your company car. From 2025, all new vans and trucks in the ZE zone must be emission-free. Vans with an emission class lower than Euro 5 will not be allowed to enter the ZE zone from 1 January 2025.
Transitional period until 2030
There is a transitional period (in Dutch) for some types of company cars. This allows you to enter a zero-emission zone until a certain date. 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 (in Dutch). An exemption is based on registration number and is granted automatically. You must apply for an exemption 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 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:
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.
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).
Provide charging stations nearby
A charging point (laadpaal) 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.
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Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO