Environmental zone for old Amsterdam diesel vans in force on 1 January 2017

It had been known for some time. Amsterdam will also ban older cars from certain parts of the city. As of 1 January 2017, the environmental zone for diesel vans - built before 1 January 2000 - will become current. Large sections within the A-10 ring are prohibited areas for this category of purchasers. Amsterdam is introducing this environmental zone with the aim of getting business frequent drivers out of their old (also referred to as dirty) to get a car.

The politicians in Amsterdam have not yet given clarity about the fate of the older diesel-powered passenger cars. For older coaches and taxis from 2018, the environmental zone does take effect. The measure is also a new piece of fabric on the national patchwork of local schemes. VVD MP Barbara Visser is a thorn in the eye.

"A fence around the city center is not a solution"

In the WNL program "Good morning the Netherlands", she once again expressed her objections to the zones. “Emissions know no limits. We should not think that we are solving a problem by placing a fence around an inner city area. In addition: a significant part of the emissions comes from abroad and from the sea. Since 1990, the air quality has also improved drastically. And it has been shown that environmental zones do not work. Mind you, we are for clean air. That includes the right measures. "

"Only solution for environmental zones: abolish."

Visser mentioned a few more objections. “Because different rules apply at the local level, entrepreneurs - in order to gain access to some environmental zones - must therefore buy another car, while being able to drive it in large parts of the country. All nice, but the question is whether the wallet allows that. One must at least make an investment. Certainly if you really have to rely on the environmental zones in the inner city for certain activities. ”When asked what the ideal solution would be in relation to the environmental zones, Visser responded with a smile, but very firmly:“ Abolish! ”.

Entrepreneurs currently looking for an alternative

In 2016, the member of parliament of the VVD submitted a motion against the environmental zones. It was adopted, but for the time being it seems that the local managers - due to decentralized policies - can continue to determine their own policies. It is possible that the Council of State - in the case that the KNAC has brought against the municipality of Utrecht concerning the environmental zone - will make a tilt decision, which could lead to the introduction of the end of environmental zones. For the time being, entrepreneurs with older diesel vehicles - who are dependent on our capital, among others - will have to look for an alternative.