Trucks
Trucks
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are steadily changing the urban landscape of our cities. And as more are introduced each year, we are moving toward a future where our inner cities will be freed from air pollution from combustion engines. However, change is rarely easy: nor is it simple to get to grips with the details.
A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is a designated area, often in the heart of a city, where vehicles must meet specific emissions standards to enter. If you’ve driven around Europe, you’ve possibly seen signs prohibiting heavy-duty vehicles, or indicating that you are entering a LEZ as you approach the city center. These zones have been established to reduce air pollution in our inner cities: by banning combustion engine vehicles, or at least regulating when they are allowed in.
The rules that dictate what vehicles can enter a LEZ are based on European emission standards. These standards define the acceptable limit for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in the European Union – with each new standard resulting in an engine that pollutes less. Therefore, older diesel and petrol vehicles must either pay a fee to enter or are simply banned from the area outright.
But LEZs are much more than just zones banning air combustion engine vehicles. They might in fact be a step toward the future of urban mobility, offering a glimpse into how our cities will look in the not-so-distant future.
There are many reasons for introducing LEZs. They help reduce congestion and overall road traffic while also motivating the transition toward more sustainable modes of transport. But perhaps most importantly, they improve air quality.
Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk in Europe, according to both the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). For instance, in 2013, it was responsible for 467,000 premature deaths across the continent, according to the EEA. To tackle this, the European Union has introduced a range of policy measures, most notably the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), which sets binding targets for all major pollutants to be met by 2030.
One of the most effective tools for reducing emissions and complying with these standards has been the introduction and expansion of LEZs. Since 2019, the number of LEZs in Europe has climbed from 228 to a projected 507 by the year’s end, underscoring both their effectiveness and their importance in urban policy. These zones have contributed to a steady year-on-year decline in air pollutant levels.
Despite these improvements, however, air pollution remains a serious issue within the EU and continued policy innovation and collective action will be essential if the EU is to meet its 2030 air quality ambitions.
Low Emission Zones can be seen as existing along a scale of increasing strictness. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) classifies five distinct categories based on the types of vehicles allowed, ranging from a standard LEZ all the way to a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ). These three zones affect all types of vehicles:
Freight and delivery vehicles, especially older diesel trucks, are often thought of as major contributors to urban pollution. We sat down with Philip J. Wijers, who is the Director of Government Affairs at Sensys Gatso Group. He is also the chair of the IRF (International Road Federation) Road Safety Committee. He stresses the image of trucks, noting that “trucks have a bad reputation in inner cities due to issues with road safety, blocking streets while off-loading, and polluting.” As a result, many cities are imposing even tougher standards on these vehicles compared to passenger cars. This means that businesses relying on such delivery methods will face increasingly strict regulatory and operational challenges.
One such challenge comes in the form of freight-specific zones. A Dutch law has been adopted making zero-emission zones for freight (ZEZ-F) mandatory by 2025 in the 30-40 largest cities. For example, the city of Rotterdam has already implemented a permanent ZEZ-F. Furthermore, while passenger vehicles can get away with lower standards, freight vehicles often need to comply with the most advanced Euro 6 standards.
There are many examples of cities at the forefront of freight-specific emission zones. For example, Shenzhen pioneered the approach in 2018 by implementing ten ZEZ-F zones known as “Green Logistic Zones.” Similarly, Seoul has a green transport zone in its city center operating from 6 am to 9 pm every day. In North America, early pilots are testing voluntary and regulatory models for zero-emission freight. In the United States, Santa Monica’s voluntary Zero Emissions Delivery Zone provided priority curb access to electric delivery vehicles in a downtown zone, running through December 2022 and created a blueprint for cities to adopt zero emissions delivery zones.
The strict requirements posed on freight and delivery will impact businesses as non-compliant freight vehicles receive significant charges or are outright banned from high-pollution areas. Simply put, in the fight against air pollution, freight and delivery are first in line to feel the impact.
The time to prepare for the shift toward more sustainable modes of transport is yesterday. But it is equally important to acknowledge the environmental strides made by modern diesel technology. Modern diesel engines are designed to emit as little as possible and aerodynamic designs and modern technology work to improve the fuel efficiency of these vehicles.
That being said, the electric revolution is building momentum. Almost 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023. This represents a 35% increase from the previous year, and more than six times higher than just 5 years earlier. And the truck industry is catching up. This steady increase in electric vehicle (EV) adoption allows cities and countries to set more ambitious goals and can make ZEZs a realistic option.
The prevalence of ZEZs and stricter emission zones goes hand in hand with EV adoption. As EV adoption increases, so will the number and strictness of these zones. “Balance is crucial here,” Philip J. Wijers highlights when speaking about this relationship. “We have to be careful not to get too far ahead of the pack. Transport providers and the public in general must have time to catch up before we push on with the introduction of stricter emission zones.”
For transport buyers in the food industry, the evolution of LEZs is not just about meeting environmental standards: it directly affects their operational efficiency and bottom line. As cities enforce stricter emission standards, non-compliant vehicles face daily charges and fines, which can quickly affect profit margins.
Moreover, these policies are reshaping the urban landscape. Delivery routes are becoming increasingly complex as certain areas may become completely inaccessible or only available during specific hours. With a patchwork of zones with varying restrictions, a diesel truck might be permitted in one area but banned in another, forcing businesses to rethink their logistics strategy. Such restrictions can disrupt supply chains, delay deliveries, and ultimately impact customer satisfaction.
The transition toward stricter emission zones means that businesses must be agile and forward-thinking. The cost pressures from fines and restricted access, combined with the need for sophisticated route planning, make it imperative to reevaluate and modernize delivery fleets.
While the challenges posed by LEZs are real, they also present an opportunity to innovate and adapt. The world is moving toward zero-emission, and so should the delivery business.
Electric trucks are at the forefront of this transformation. Unlike traditional diesel vehicles, electric trucks are compliant with all current LEZ, ULEZ, and known future ZEZ standards. They offer the dual benefits of lower operating costs and enhanced environmental performance. As Philip J. Wijers puts it, “Electric trucks are great for lowering inner city emissions.” In cities like London, major supermarket chains such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s have already started deploying electric delivery vans to comply with ULEZ restrictions. Companies that make the shift early avoid costly penalties and gain a reputation as sustainability leaders.
Philip J. Wijers goes on to explain that successful fleet modernization hinges on collaboration between transport buyers and providers. By entering long-term contracts, stretching over multiple years, transport providers get the confidence and stability needed to invest in new electric technology. This not only helps providers but supports a broader commitment to sustainability. But according to Philip J.Wijers, governments are the key players: “they need to provide a long term vision and policies based on this. Otherwise, companies will not invest in electric trucks.”
In essence, the increasing prevalence of LEZs is a signal that transportation is changing. Companies that adapt early will be better positioned for long-term sustainability, avoiding high penalties while building a competitive edge in a changing urban landscape. Now is the time to invest in the future, before it eventually forces us to.
