Municipalities pleased the way is clear for emission-free zones

Municipalities are pleased that they can continue with the introduction of emission-free zones in city centers on January 1. The Schoof Cabinet wanted to postpone this introduction. Still, after a meeting with State Secretary for Transport and the Environment Chris Jansen (PVV) on Friday, this will not happen, several municipalities confirmed reports by NOS.

"We are pleased that the State Secretary is now providing clarity," says a spokesperson for The Hague alderman Robert Barker. Amsterdam is also positive about Jansen's decision. "Improving air quality is very important for the health of all Amsterdammers," says alderman Melanie van der Horst.

Both cities emphasize that this decision also provides clarity for entrepreneurs. "Clarity about this is important for entrepreneurs who have switched to zero-emission transport or are about to do so," says Van der Horst.

On January 1, 2025, fourteen cities will introduce zero-emission zones. This means that company cars and trucks within that zone may not emit harmful substances and must run on electricity or hydrogen. In addition to the four major cities, Assen, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Maastricht are also participating.

State Secretary Jansen stated through his spokesperson that the Cabinet has not yet officially decided on the environmental zones, but he does not dispute the reports either. He wants to record stricter agreements with municipalities later if certain exceptions do not work or do not work sufficiently. He will inform the Tweede Kamer about this "soon."

According to PVV leader Geert Wilders, there is absolutely no question of banning company cars on fuel. "As far as we are concerned, those zero-emission zones will not happen," he wrote on X. "There should be exceptions for entrepreneurs, as we agreed in the Main Lines Agreement!"

The VVD also does not want the zones established. VVD MP Hester Veltman was initially indignant that municipalities were still proceeding with the environmental zones. She wrote on X that she was "unpleasantly surprised" by this reporting.

But she does see an opening in the response of the State Secretary, who indicated that he wanted to continue searching for exceptions with municipalities. "It is good that the State Secretary is reversing his decision to oblige entrepreneurs to buy electric vans now," she concludes based on Jansen's response.