In a zero-emission zone for city logistics, vans and trucks may only enter if they have no exhaust emissions, such as electric vans. Newer diesel vehicles fall under transitional rules. ZE zones do not apply to passenger cars; for those, there are low-emission zones (milieuzones) for older diesels.
In 2026, more than 20 Dutch cities have a ZE zone, and that number is expected to grow to around 29 cities by 2030. Euro 5 vans may still enter a ZE zone until 31 December 2026 (milieuzones.nl).
Why it matters when buying or selling
- Buying a van: if you drive in the city for work, check the emission class and whether the van may enter your ZE zones. For a Euro 5 van, the transition period ends at the end of 2026.
- Selling a van: a diesel van on a grey licence plate is less attractive to businesses that work in cities. If you are selling a Euro 5 van, that already plays a role now.
- Passenger cars: ZE zones do not apply to your private car.