Dutch Secretary of State for the Environment, Jansen, has not ruled out the possibility of reversing the zero-emission zones. The government will soon decide whether to delay certain municipalities’ zero-emission zones for delivery vans and trucks. “Municipalities have the right to implement these zones on January 1st, but we have the authority to steer them in a different direction,” Jansen stated. He mainly focuses on assessing the impact on market vendors and small businesses. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives urges the government to adhere to the coalition agreement.
The controversy isn’t limited to the national government. In Amsterdam, the zero-emission zone was suddenly reduced by 80% at the last minute, while Apeldoorn and other cities have postponed implementation to January 1, 2030, without much deliberation. Other municipalities are still fine-tuning local exemptions.
I believe it’s positive that the national government has delegated zero-emission zones to the municipalities. No two cities are alike. Every municipality differs in terms of structure, history, and regional function, making regional customization crucial. Since each municipal council has a different vision, various routes toward zero-emission zones have emerged over the years. However, this situation does complicate things for entrepreneurs.
Lack of Clarity Affects Trust
This uncertainty damages trust between municipalities, businesses, and the national government. Entrepreneurs remain in the dark about whether they will soon need to invest in cleaner vehicles or if they may have done so prematurely. It is also unclear how the government plans to prevent municipalities from introducing emission-free zones since municipal councils have the autonomy to make such decisions. Municipalities and the ministry must work together; sustainability is a shared responsibility.
A majority in the House of Representatives now wants Secretary of State Jansen to present a plan by November 1 [remark: the plan is not ready yet, November 11] that would allow all entrepreneurs to receive a postponement. The big question is whether the Secretary of State can do anything. The agreements on zero-emission zones, exemptions, and implementation are well established. The national government oversees the harmonization of these zones, while municipalities handle the implementation and exemptions.
The transition schemes, exemptions, and permits for zero-emission zones were agreed upon in consultation with all Green Deal Zero Emissie Stadslogistiek signatories, including municipalities and industry organizations. The Climate Plans indicate: “Municipalities are further setting up zero-emission zones for city logistics to encourage emission-free delivery vans and trucks. The government emphasizes that city centers must remain accessible to entrepreneurs.”
Does the Delay Impede Sustainable City Logistics? Absolutely not. Many entrepreneurs are discovering that electric vehicles are feasible and affordable. If they genuinely aren’t affordable, entrepreneurs can apply for exemptions. After initial challenges, many find that these vehicles are reliable in practice. Manufacturers, pressured by new CO2 standards, are expanding their range of vehicles—from small to heavy-duty.
Are there still hurdles to overcome? Unfortunately, yes. Not all types of vehicles are available for every application. Grid congestion remains a persistent issue; generating electricity with diesel generators is not a viable solution. There needs to be a stronger push for charging infrastructure for delivery vans in residential areas. There are also challenges regarding the European driver’s license regulations for heavy-duty vans and issues with obtaining exemptions and communicating about the zones. Additionally, small entrepreneurs experience a distance in access to financing, city logistics space, and energy resources; there is no level-playing field. The list of problems is shrinking, and where one entrepreneur sees a threat, another sees an opportunity to innovate and offer solutions.
True Entrepreneurs Keep Going
Over the past decade, plans for zero-emission zones have been meticulously prepared in collaboration with industry organizations. Many companies have already transitioned to sustainable urban logistics through sheer determination. Organizations like Evofenedex, Transport and Logistics Netherlands, VNO-NCW, MKB-Nederland, and VNG rightly believe that zero-emission zones should proceed as planned. Even the craftsmen’s union, VLOK, remains optimistic. TLN, Evofenedex, BOVAG, Rai Vereniging, and Natuur & Milieu have called on the House of Representatives to support municipalities implementing zero-emission zones. With over two months before implementation, they argue that entrepreneurs need clarity now.
True entrepreneurs are already choosing a sustainable future with zero-emission vehicles. Even without zero-emission zones, we will mostly be driving electric vehicles by 2035, achieving the climate goals for city logistics with a 1 Mton CO2 reduction. Still unsure? Consult experts, dealers, or accountants. In addition to national and local exemptions, entrepreneurs who are not yet ready to transition due to a lack of suitable vehicles or financial constraints can request exemptions through a ‘central portal,’ with advice available from logistics brokers.
Can Municipalities Do More? Absolutely!
If municipalities are bold, they could require all (municipal) construction projects to be zero-emission starting January 1, 2025. They could make permits conditional on zero-emission compliance, link parking exemptions and other privileges to zero-emission requirements, and mandate that only zero-emission entrepreneurs are welcome according to market regulations. This would help achieve climate goals but could result in varying municipal rules, similar to the taxi sector. Such fragmentation is undesirable.
From Zero Emission to Positive Impact
Zero-emission driving alone does not resolve the challenges in urban logistics; we are simply transitioning from a “grey” to a “green” traffic congestion. The growth of urban logistics seems inevitable. According to the recent City Logistics Outlook report, municipalities face significant growth in urban freight traffic. How can we ensure that this growth contributes positively to livability and sustainability rather than detracting from it? Real entrepreneurs are already preparing for this. For them, driving zero-emission driving is ‘water under the bridge.’ True entrepreneurs never hit pause; they always look forward.
For the latest updates on zero-emission zones, visit OpWegNaarZes.
Walther Ploos van Amstel.
Also read: Zero-emission zones or zero-emission budget? What could work?