Low emission zone in Wallonia overturned: Major cities targeted, introduction postponed to 2025
Wallonia, known for its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, has decided to introduce a controversial low emission zone in 2022. The previous Walloon government had drawn up a plan to gradually ban the most polluting vehicles from the roads. This measure triggered fierce debate and unrest. However, the current Environment Minister Céline Tellier (Ecolo) appears to be overturning these plans.
A recent study analysing air quality in Namur and Eupen concludes that a general driving ban is excessive, unfair and inefficient. While air quality improved significantly in larger cities, there were no significant differences in smaller cities such as Eupen. The ban was also perceived as unfair to residents of rural areas who do not have the same access to public transport.
Tellier is now considering revising the original draft proposed by her predecessor Carlo Di Antonio (Les Engagés). She wants to limit the low emission zones to larger cities such as Liège, Namur, Charleroi and Mons. The effectiveness of such a selective approach is questionable.
The only measure Tellier has taken so far is to postpone the ban on Euro 0 to 3 vehicles until 1 January 2025, but this seems to be an expression of indecision and uncertainty. Instead of taking decisive and realisable measures, decisions are being postponed and citizens are being left in the dark. It is clear that the planned driving ban cannot be implemented in its current form.
The low emission zone in Wallonia was originally due to be introduced in 2024, but was then postponed to 2025. All cars and motorhomes were to be affected, and a driving ban was to apply to vehicles with Euronorms 0-3. By 2030, the zone was to be gradually tightened up to a driving ban for vehicles of Euronorm 6. With the current change, these strict measures will only apply in the larger cities. However, the whole thing is not yet ready for finalisation. It remains to be seen how the environment minister will concretise her plans.