The arrival of zero-emission zones: what you need to know
25 november 2024
Trucks and vans: they are indispensable. These types of transport are used regularly, especially in business. Think of the delivery person who has to deliver a package to you, or a truck that has to transport a load to a sorting center.
But the more of these types of vehicles drive around, the more harmful substances are shot into the air. This is bad for the environment and our health. That is why zero-emission zones will soon be introduced: these are zones where only trucks and vans that do not emit CO2 are allowed. We at 123Lease will explain more about these so-called zero-emission zones.
Zero-emission zone: what is it?
As the name 'zero-emission zone' might suggest, it is an area where no emissions are emitted. In other words, certain vehicles that emit harmful substances are no longer allowed in these zones. These zones are mainly the large cities in the Netherlands: in total, there are already dozens of municipalities that have indicated that they want to become a zero-emission zone.
When we talk about these zero-emission zones, we are talking about trucks and vans. They are only welcome in these zones if they do not emit any harmful substances. Vehicles that do not emit any harmful substances are, for example, vehicles that drive electrically or that run on hydrogen. With the arrival of the zero-emission zones, it is hoped that CO2 emissions will be reduced, but also that the air quality in the city will improve.
When will the zero-emission zone be introduced?
Zero-emission zones will be introduced on 1 January 2025. Municipalities were able to choose whether or not to become an emission-free zone. Many municipalities have already announced that they will become a zero-emission zone. In total, dozens of municipalities have already indicated that they want to become a zero-emission zone. However, the start date varies per municipality. One municipality will change things on 1 January 2025, while another municipality will only do this a few years later. For example, Amsterdam, Deventer, Zwolle, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Delft, Leiden and Assen will become a zero-emission zone on 1 January 2025.
Transitional rules
The arrival of the zero-emission zone as of 1 January 2025 may come sooner than expected. That is why transitional rules have been drawn up, making it a little easier for you to enter these zones. For example, you must look at the Euro class of your vehicle.
| Vans | Access to zero-emission zones |
| Euro class 4 or lower | No access |
| Euro class 5 | Until January 1, 2027 |
| Euro class 6 | Until January 1, 2028 |
| Vehicles 40 years older or wheelchair accessible vehicles | Until January 1, 2030 |
| Trucks | Access to zero-emission zones |
| Euro class 6 box trucks (maximum 5 years old on 1 January 2025) | Until January 1, 2030 |
| Semi-trailer tractors Euro class 6 (maximum 8 years old on 1 January 2025) | Until January 1, 2030 |
| Vehicles 40 years or older | Exempt |
Environmental zones
The zero-emission zone is not a new rule that comes into play when it comes to stopping fuel cars. For example, you already have the environmental zones in the big cities. In these environmental zones, passenger cars that emit a certain amount of harmful substances are not allowed. This concerns diesel cars with an emission class of 0 to 4: these are no longer allowed in the environmental zones. The environmental zones have already been introduced in the cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Arnhem.
In addition, there is already an environmental zone where trucks and buses that run on diesel are no longer allowed to enter. In total, there are already fifteen cities in the Netherlands that have an environmental zone when it comes to diesel trucks and buses.
These environmental zones can therefore be expanded to a zero-emission zone, where these types of vehicles are no longer welcome at all, which emit harmful substances. This makes it increasingly limited to travel to a large city in your 'regular' truck or van.
Switching to electric driving: tips
With the arrival of zero-emission zones in the future, it may be a good idea to think about how you are going to solve this. This is especially smart if you have to drive a lot in cities that are becoming zero-emission zones. For example, you could consider switching to an electric company car .
The switch to an electric company car can also be made in no time. Below we give you a number of tips that you should take into account when you start driving electrically.
Tip 1: Leasing
An electric van can be expensive to purchase. That is why leasing can be very interesting. Instead of having to deal with a purchase price, you have to deal with monthly costs. How these monthly costs are structured, does differ per car, contract and lease form.
For example, at 123Lease you can opt for financial lease . With financial lease, you no longer have to return the car to us when your contract has expired. You can compare leasing a car with a mortgage for a home. When the contract has expired, the car is completely yours. You also have to pay the costs for maintenance, insurance and road tax. However, as an entrepreneur you are rewarded with financial lease: you are entitled to tax benefits, such as the refund of VAT. We would like to advise you on which car suits you best. View our current offer here .
In addition, the costs can differ per car and per contract. Often the following applies: the shorter the contract, the more expensive the monthly costs. It is also good to know that with financial leasing you can still have to deal with a final payment. This is an amount that you still have to pay at the end of your contract. We will clearly explain how the lease contract is structured and what costs you will have to deal with. You can always contact us for advice!
Also good to know: from 2025 the bpm exemption or the grey registration scheme will disappear . From that moment on you will also have to pay bpm for your new company car, and this is calculated on the basis of the amount of CO2 emissions. Since electric cars do not emit CO2, you do not have to pay bpm for this. Another good reason to choose electric, therefore.
Tip 2: Driving and charging
If you make the switch to electric driving, it will take some getting used to compared to a fuel car. An electric car drives very differently. For example, you often have to deal with one pedal drive, where you only have to brake and accelerate with one pedal. When you then release the pedal, the car brakes. You will also have to get used to the speed at which an electric car accelerates. An electric car generally has a high acceleration. In addition, you no longer have to change gears.
It is also smart to take into account the range of the electric car. The range indicates how long a car can drive with a full battery. In addition, you have to charge the car. This can be done at a public charging station, or a charging station at home. The costs of charging at the charging stations on the side of the road are generally more expensive than the charging station at your home. This has to do with the price per kWh that you pay at that time.
