Concerns about new coalition's plans to postpone environmental zones

In their coalition agreement, the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB said they want to see whether they can postpone the implementation of zero-emission zones in Dutch cities. The right-wing parties said they wanted to do this for entrepreneurs. But the Dutch municipalities and branch organizations worry that a delay will only cause more uncertainty for Dutch businesses, NOS reports.

In the 2019 National Climate Agreement, governments and companies agreed to set up zones in which freight vehicles bought new after 1 January 2025 can’t emit CO2. There are various transitional agreements for different types of freight traffic until 2030. So far, 29 municipalities, including Amsterdam and Rotterdam, have prepared to implement these zones between 2025 and 2028, depending on the municipality. The new coalition now wants to see whether it can push the deadline further ahead.

“Delay is actually to the disadvantage of entrepreneurs. It means lack of clarity, unfair competition, and possible bankruptcies,” the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) told NOS. “Many companies have already invested, for example, in the purchase of electric vehicles.” The VNG added that the implementation of the zero-emission zones is already the municipalities’ responsibility, so can “continue as normal” regardless of the change in government.

The RAI Association, the organization for car importers and manufacturers, also asked for clarity, calling zero-emission zones “essential for a cleaner environment.” The RAI association also sees that many entrepreneurs have already started preparing for the environmental zones, though not always by buying electric vehicles. This year, almost 40,000 new diesel vans have been registered in the Netherlands, a quarter more than the same period last year, the RAI Association told NOS.

If the new coalition doesn’t change the rules, fossil-fuel vans bought new before 1 January 2025 can continue to run in emission-free zones until 2028. The association thinks entrepreneurs are getting ahead of that cut-off by moving up van purchases to this year. From next year, entrepreneurs will also have to pay purchase tax linked to the amount of CO2 a car emits.