Low-emission zone

Sign for Zero-Emission Zone

A Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) is a defined area where access by certain polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred with the aim of improving the air quality. This may favour vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles, or zero-emission vehicles such as all-electric vehicles, .

A Zero-Emission Zone (ZEZ) is a LEZ where only Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are allowed. In such areas, all internal combustion engine vehicles are banned; this includes hybrid vehicles. Only all-electric vehicles are allowed in a ZEZ, along with walking and cycling and fully electric public transport vehicles, e.g. trams, electric buses etc.

Europe

Sign marking a German Low Emission Zone

Over 194 cities and towns in 9 countries around Europe operate or are preparing Low Emission Zones,^[1] or LEZs, to help meet EU health-based air quality limit values. This means that vehicles may be banned from a LEZ, or in some cases charged if they enter a LEZ when their emissions are over a set level.

Different vehicles may be regulated, depending on local conditions. All LEZs apply to heavy vehicles, some to diesel vans, others also to diesel and petrol cars; in Italy, motor cycles and three-wheelers are also liable to control.

A publicly funded website run by a network of cities and ministries operating or preparing LEZs gives up-to-date information on LEZs, such as which cities have LEZs, the vehicle types affected, the required emissions standards and their application dates.^[2]

Germany

In Germany, an LEZ is called an environmental zone (Umweltzone). There are currently 47 LEZs in operation or in planning in Germany.^[2] The cities of Berlin, Cologne and Hanover started LEZs in their respective central city areas on 1 January 2008. LEZs also came into effect in the cities of Mannheim and Stuttgart on 1 March 2008. More cities followed in the years after.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

Sweden

The cities of Gothenburg, Lund, Malmö, Helsingborg, Mölndal and Stockholm have Low Emission Zones.

United Kingdom

The Mayor of London announced establishment of a Low Emission Zone which came into effect on 4 February 2008 covering almost all of Greater London - the largest such zone in the world. London currently has levels of air pollution among the worst in Europe and road transport related emissions account for around half of total emissions of PM10 and NOx in the capital. The Low Emission Zone will target emissions of these pollutants from older diesel-engined lorries, buses, coaches, vans, minibuses and other heavy vehicles that are derived from lorries and vans such as motor caravans and motorised horse boxes. There will be a phased introduction of the scheme from 4 February 2008 through to January 2012. Different vehicles will be affected over time and increasingly tougher emissions standards will apply.^[8]

Netherlands, Denmark and Italy

The Netherlands, Denmark & Italy also have LEZs. The Netherlands for heavy goods vehicles, Denmark for vehicles over 3.5T and Italy for all vehicles.^[2]

Elsewhere

Hong Kong

Since the end of 2015, the Hong Kong Government has designated three major junctions in Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok as low emission zone for franchised buses. For bus routes entering the three zones, franchised bus operators are required to use only buses meeting emission standards of Euro IV or above except when necessary. The LEZ scheme does not cover vehicles other than franchised buses.^[9]

Japan

Tokyo has been a Low Emission Zone since October 2003.

See also

References

External links

• Low Emission Zones in Europe
• London low emission zone (LEZ)
• TÜV Nord / Germany
• Low Emission Zone Transport of London
• "BBC NEWS | England | London | £200 pollution charge for lorries". News.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-01-26. 
• Low emission zones in Germany / emissions-control windscreen sticker
• Berlin's Environmental Zone Information for Foreign Tourists