Zero-emission zone

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As of 1 January 2025 there will be a zero-emission zone in the city centre. As of this date new delivery vans and trucks driving into this zone must be emission-free (non-polluting). This means only vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen.

For older delivery vans and trucks a national transitional scheme will be in place until 2030 and the zero-emission zone will be introduced in phases.

The Hague is 1 of 28 cities in the Netherlands which will introduce a zero-emission zone from 2025. Exhaust fumes from delivery vans and trucks pollute the air and contain too high CO2 emissions. This is bad for our health, nature and the climate. To keep the quality of life and health in the city, the air quality needs to improve.

What kind of vehicles does the zero-emission zone in the centre apply to?

The zero-emission zone in the city centre applies to delivery vans and trucks for commercial use. These vehicles are used by businesses for delivery and servicing (city logistics). This means picking-up and delivering goods. For example:

to supply shops and catering facilities
to transport materials to building sites
to deliver parcels
to do maintenance work in homes (such as plumbers)

Are you allowed to enter the zero-emission zone?

Check whether and until when your vehicle is permitted to drive in the zero-emission zone. Check your number plate on Begin external link: www.logistiek070.com(External link), end external link..

Transitional scheme

The emissions standard is a rating which indicates how low your vehicle’s emissions are. The higher the rating, the lower the emissions.

Delivery vans and trucks with an emissions standard of 4 or lower are allowed to enter the zero-emission zone until 1 January 2025.

Delivery vans and trucks with an emissions standard of 5 or 6 are also allowed to enter the zero-emission zone after 1 January 2025. There is a transitional scheme for these vehicles. Look at the scheme below.

Existing delivery vans (registered before 1 January 2025)

Euro 5 delivery vans are allowed to enter the zero-emission zone until 1 January 2027.
Euro 6 delivery vans are allowed to enter the zero-emission zone until 1 January 2028.

Existing trucks (registered before 1 January 2025)

Euro 6 trucks (box trucks or tipper trucks) (no more than 5 years old on 1 January 2025) are allowed to enter the zero-emission zone until 1 January 2030.
Euro 6 trucks (semi-trailer trucks) (no more than 8 years old on 1 January 2025) are allowed to enter the zero-emission zone until 1 January 2030.

The transitional scheme will end as of 1 January 2030. All trucks and delivery vans must then be completely emission-free.

Where is the zero-emission zone in the centre?

The boundaries of the zero-emission zone in the city centre will be the same as for the current low-emission zone for diesel cars. Look at where the Begin external link: zero-emission zone in the city centre(External link), end external link. is located.

The zero-emission zone will be located within the Centrumring (S100) and the Professor B.M. Teldersweg (S200). The Centrumring and the Professor B.M. Teldersweg will not fall within the zone. The definitive size of the zero-emission zone will be established when a policy decision is taken at the beginning of 2024.

Expansion of zero-emission zone to coast

As of 1 January 2026 the zero-emission zone will be expanded to The Hague’s coastline. The new area will extend from the coast up to and including the Laan van Meerdervoort and from the Hubertustunnel up to the Monsterseweg. This new zero-emission zone will border the zone in the centre. The municipal council will take a final decision on the zero-emission zone along the coast of The Hague in the 4th quarter of 2024.

Automatic waivers and exemptions

Business owners with delivery van or truck

Your delivery van or truck might not be allowed to enter the zero-emission zone. For example, because the emissions standard of your vehicle is too low or because the vehicle is too old. An exception will be made for certain types of vehicles. These exceptions are also called waivers and exemptions. A waiver will be granted on the basis of the number plate of your vehicle. If you are eligible for a waiver, you will get it automatically. This means that you will not have to apply for a waiver.

You will, however, have to apply for an exemption yourself. There will be rules for getting an automatic waiver or an exemption. These rules are nearly ready.

Residents with delivery van or truck

The Government of the Netherlands is working together with municipalities to explore how residents can get an exemption for private use. They must be able to prove that they are not using the vehicle for commercial purposes. More information will be published here once a decision has been taken.

Box trucks or tipper trucks

For Euro 6 trucks (box trucks or tipper trucks) (N2 and N3 vehicles) which are heavier than 3500 kg there are different access rules for the zero-emission zones (ZE-zones).

Box trucks or tipper trucks with an initial registration date (Datum Eerste Toelating, DET) between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019 will get an exemption for the ZE-zones until 1 January 2028. This will be granted automatically. These vehicles will be able to drive in zero-emission zones 3 years longer. Business owners will thus get more time to get their vehicles or their business ready for the ZE-zones.

Apply via digital counter

You will be able to apply for an exemption via a digital counter, which is now being prepared for all of the zero-emission zones in the Netherlands. This counter will be ready in the second half of 2024. More information about automatic waivers and exemptions can be found at Begin external link: www.opwegnaarzes.nl(External link), end external link. (in Dutch).

Get help switching to clean transport

Are you a business owner? The introduction of the zero-emission zone could have consequences for you. The transition to the emission-free zone might seem far in the future. However, it is important that you already prepare now to make the switch to clean transport. The Government of the Netherlands and the municipality are helping business owners with:

Subsidy to buy or lease

Do you want to buy or lease a non-polluting company vehicle? Apply for a subsidy from the Government of the Netherlands. The subsidy is a maximum of € 5,000 per company vehicle. Read more about the:

Advice or fleet scan

Request a free consultation or a fleet scan from logistics broker Michel Oldenburg. Send an email to: Begin link: michel@smartidservices.com, end link. .

Demolition bonus for old delivery vans

Would you like to have a diesel- or petrol-powered delivery van demolished? And has the delivery van been registered in your name since 1 January 2024 or longer? Then you can get € 3,500 in subsidy for each car that you have demolished. For more information and the conditions go to the page Begin link: Subsidie aanvragen voor sloop oude bestelauto’s, end link. (in Dutch).

Cooperation in Logistiek070 platform

The municipality is working together with business owners and trade associations withn the Begin external link: Logistiek070 platform(External link), end external link.. The platform makes plans for sustainable and smart urban logistics. They are also working together to prepare the zero-emission zone.