The councils say they will continue with zero emission zones

The 14 local authorities that want to introduce zero-emission zones from January say they will go ahead despite calls in parliament for a delay.

The VVD is proposing to delay the introduction of zero-emission zones until 2029 to give diesel car users more time to prepare, but municipalities have said they will introduce the new rules anyway.

The issue is a matter for local, not national, government, and the Cabinet has no power to force councils to change their position.

From January, diesel buses and vans older than 15 years and registered in emission class 4 will be banned from the center of Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague, among others.

Check which cities and vehicles these are affected

But research by motorists’ organization RAI shows that 75% of current diesel buses and vans can use the zero-emission zones until January 2027 and that large trucks can apply for an exemption until January 2030.

All towns and cities that implement the zones will gradually implement the changes over the coming years.

MPs told Infrastructure Minister Chris Jansen on Wednesday that he must come up with a plan to exempt all van drivers from the restrictions, even though this is not legally an option.