Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Brussels - Belgium
Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2018
Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day
Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable
Not allowed to drive (permanently):
Vehicle class: motorcycles (L), passenger cars, motor homes (M1), bus (M2, M3), vans (N1), trucks (N2-N3).
Fuel type: gasoline, diesel, LPG, CNG
Euronorm: 0-4 diesel/gasoline (L1-L2), 0-5 diesel (M1-M3, N1-N3, L3-L7), 0-2 gasoline (M1-M3, N1-N3, L3-L5)
Sticker/registration/application: Entry only with registration (registration country all except Belgium and Netherlands)
Fines: 350 €
Area/extension of the environmental zone: The whole Brussels region with all its 19 municipalities, an area of 161km² und 1.175.000 inhabitants, is affected. The environmental zone is bordered on the west and the north by Europastraße E19, on the east by Europastraße E40 and on the south by the municipality Watermaal-Bosvoorde. The restrictions of the LEZ of Brussels do not apply to the Europastraßen E19 and E40. Also excluded are 3 Park&Ride parking areas: Céria Coovi, Stalle (Ukkel), Kraainem (Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe).
Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Region Brussels, +32(0)27757575, info@lez.brussels
Exemptions: Fire brigade, Patient transport, Military, Police car, Disabled vehicle (registration/application necessary), Sweeper (registration/application necessary), Vintage car older than 30 years (registration/application necessary) and Ambulance
An environmental zone is a specific area in a city or region that is protected by regulations and restrictions to improve air quality. These zones are usually established to reduce emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are responsible for poor air quality in many cities.
In these zones, certain rules apply to vehicle access based on vehicle emissions. This may include imposing driving bans on certain types of vehicles, such as older diesel vehicles, or requiring the creation of an eco-label for vehicles. This mark, which must be affixed to the vehicle, confirms that the vehicle complies with the applicable emission regulations and is therefore authorized to drive in the low emission zone.
The introduction of low emission zones has led to a significant improvement in air quality in many cities. It has been observed that emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter have been reduced in these zones, thereby improving the health of residents. The number of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases also decreased.
However, it is not just the introduction of environmental zones alone that can lead to an improvement in air quality. It is necessary to take other measures to reduce emissions overall. These include, for example, promoting electromobility, increasing energy efficiency and creating alternative means of transportation such as bicycles and public transportation.
Environmental zones are an important tool to improve air quality in cities and regions and reduce the impact of air pollution on the health of residents. They are used in many European countries and have shown to have a positive effect on air quality.
Environmental zones are also known in other countries as Environmental Zones, Clean Air Zones (England), Miljøzone (Denmark), Miljözon (Sweden), Lavutslippssone (Norway), Alacsony Kibocsátási Övezet (Hungary), Zona ambientale (Italy), Umweltzonen (Germany), Milieuzones (Netherlands), ZFE - Zone à Faibles Émissions (France) and Lage-emissiezone (Belgium), ZBE - Zona de baixes emissiones (Spain).
Winter zone: There are environmental zones which are only seasonally active or have stricter rules for certain months. This means that these zones are active, for example, from September 15 to April 15 of the following year. Outside of this time, no or less strict driving restrictions apply and you can drive freely. One country with many winter zones is Italy.
To enter the low emission zone, each vehicle concerned requires a valid registration. Otherwise a fine of 150 Euro to 350 Euro is to be expected.
The beginning and end of the environmental zones are marked with signs. This shows a red circle as a prohibition sign with a vehicle causing emissions. Who exactly is allowed to enter or not is not indicated by the entry sign.
In our Green-Zones App we have a detailed map of each low emission zone. So you can easily recognize the borders and avoid penalties.
There are 3 low emission zones in Belgium: Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent
In our Green Zones App we have gathered together all the low emission zones in Europe and presented them clearly.
All current driving bans and further information are available in our Green-Zones App.
Air pollution is a serious problem that endangers the health of millions of people in the European Union. According to a new study by the European Environment Agency, almost 240,000 Europeans die every year as a result of particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the air. These alarming figures show that air quality in Europe is far from the levels recommended by the World Health Organization.
The planned introduction of new driving bans for diesel cars with Euro 5 engines and petrol cars with Euro 2 engines has been postponed until January 2027. Thousands of vehicles would have been affected by the original plans. The postponement met with opposition from the green parties Ecolo, Groen and Défi, while the majority of parliament supported the postponement.
The introduction of low emission zones is a hotly debated topic in Sweden, especially the introduction of low emission zone 3, which excludes certain vehicles from certain parts of the city. In Gothenburg and Stockholm, political decision-makers have different views on how this low emission zone should be implemented. While Stockholm wants to include all vehicles in the low emission zone, Gothenburg has decided to exclude buses from this regulation.
The city of The Hague in the Netherlands has made a far-reaching decision: From January 1, 2025, all advertising for conventional combustion engine cars will be banned. This is intended to promote the switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives and set an example for climate protection.
Emmanuel Cuet, a craftsman from Lyon, is facing major challenges and frustrations. His anger increased when he recently received a fine for non-compliance with the ZFE. This penalty is particularly hard for him, as he already has to deal with many difficulties in his profession. As a carpenter and locksmith at Ateliers Charignon in Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, he feels unfairly treated and feels that the measures are too quick and insufficient.
BMW Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljkovic recently suggested that electric cars should be given preferential treatment in road traffic in order to boost demand. This idea has attracted both supporters and critics. While some see it as a necessary step towards promoting electromobility, others warn of possible negative effects on traffic and the equal treatment of all road users.
Fireworks are an integral part of many celebrations and are loved by people all over the world. However, a new study from New York has revealed alarming findings about fireworks and particulate pollution that could cast a shadow over the festivities.
Salzburg is about to experience a revolution in public transportation - the introduction of hydrogen buses as part of the ZEMoS project. The Salzburg Transport Association and Salzburg AG are investigating the efficiency of battery-electric and fuel cell-electric technologies in order to find the best solution for emission-free mobility.
The introduction of new low emission zones in the Netherlands is causing discussion and uncertainty among drivers. Next year, 15 new low emission zones will be introduced, but they will initially only apply to commercial vehicles. This means that car drivers do not have to fear any restrictions when entering these zones.
Particulate matter pollution in London has fallen by 22 percent since the introduction of the controversial low emission zone. The measures to improve air quality have led to a significant reduction in pollutant emissions. People are breathing cleaner air and there are fewer polluting vehicles on the roads.
