Environmental stickers & Environmental zones

Have you ever traveled to a city and discovered that you needed a special sticker to get there by car? Or have you heard of environmental zones, but you don't know exactly what they are? Don't worry, in this blog post we give you all the information you need about environmental stickers and environmental zones. Read on to understand why these topics are becoming increasingly important and how they can impact your travels.

What are environmental stickers and environmental zones?

Environmental stickers are stickers that are used to indicate how polluting a vehicle is. These stickers are often used in environmental zones to determine whether a vehicle is allowed to drive there or not. Environmental zones are areas where specific vehicles are only allowed if they meet certain environmental standards. The purpose of environmental stickers and environmental zones is to improve air quality by reducing pollutant emissions. In addition, the introduction of environmental zones and the mandatory environmental stickers encourage drivers to opt for cleaner vehicles. This contributes to a sustainable future and reducing the impact of vehicles on the environment.

Although the meaning and purpose of the environmental stickers and environmental zones is the same in every country, specific rules and stickers differ per country. Of course they remain dependent on the emissions of the vehicle. Environmental stickers can mainly be found abroad, because there are more cities abroad with environmental zones. Please note: even if you drive an electric vehicle, you still need an environmental sticker in most countries.

Environmental zones in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands there are a few environmental zones, especially in some of the major cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem. These zones therefore aim to reduce air pollution and protect the health of residents. To enter these zones, your vehicle must meet certain emission standards. There are two different types of environmental zones in the Netherlands: a yellow environmental zone or a green environmental zone. Diesel vehicles may only enter a yellow environmental zone if they have an emission class of 3 or higher. The emission class indicates how polluting a vehicle is; the lower the figure, the more polluting the vehicle. Diesel vehicles may only enter a green environmental zone if they have an emission class of 4 or higher.

Environmental zones future Netherlands

If you are considering purchasing a new diesel car, it is important to take into account the fact that municipalities can set stricter requirements from 1 January 2025. From this date, diesel vehicles may only enter an environmental zone with emission class 4 or 5 and higher. Furthermore, municipalities may also introduce zero emission zones from 1 January 2025. These zones apply to vans, among other things, and mean that you are only allowed to enter the zone if your van is electric and does not emit any harmful substances. However, a transitional arrangement applies to commercial vehicles with emission classes 5 and 6. 

Electric commercial vehicles

Electric commercial vehicles are of course less polluting than commercial vehicles that run on petrol or diesel. This allows you to drive an electric company car in environmental zones. In addition, municipalities may also introduce zero emission zones from 1 January 2025, which means that you can only drive in these zones if your company car is electric and does not emit any harmful substances. Be careful abroad, as electric vehicles must also have an environmental sticker there. 

Conclusion

Environmental stickers and environmental zones are subjects that are receiving increasing attention, both in the Netherlands and in other countries. The aim of these measures is to improve air quality and reduce pollutant emissions. Whether you plan to travel within the Netherlands or go abroad, it is important to be aware of the rules and requirements regarding environmental stickers and environmental zones. This way you are always well prepared and you will not receive any fines. Ultimately, it is a wise choice to say goodbye to your diesel vehicle and switch to an electric company car, so that you can continue to do your work anywhere and are not held back by environmental zones or zero emission zones.

Electric commercial vehicles offer