Low emission zone Rotterdam

Important!

Rotterdam has two environmental zones: Rotterdam Maasvlakte, Rotterdam City

Name of the environmental zone: Netherlands Rotterdam Maasvlakte - Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-10-2014

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3)
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-5
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 340 € - 2250 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The Maasvlakte is located in the westernmost part of the port of Rotterdam and juts into the North Sea. The environmental zone includes all roads in postcode area 3199, except the Krabbeweg (3199 LE). All port numbers from 7200 to 9900 are also in the environmental zone.

Special features: Registration required at: https://www.rotterdam.nl/en/vehicle-registration-exemptions-maasvlakte

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Gemeente Rotterdam, Postbus 10902, 3004 BC Rotterdam
supportovv@rotterdam.nl

Exemptions: Concrete mixer, Fire brigade, Military, Mobile cranes, Vintage car older than 40 years, Police car, Circus caravan and Sweeper

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Rotterdam City ZEZ - Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 16-09-2007

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3)
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-5

Fines: 95 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The environmental zones is located in the centre and north of the city between the A20, the A16, the Nieuwe Maas and the S114 (Tjalklaan, Vierhavenstraat, Westzeedijk). The three main connections Maastunnel, Erasmusbrug und Willemsbrug (including Noordereiland) are also located in the environmental zone.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Municipality of Rotterdam, P.O. Box 10902, 3004 BC Rotterdam
E-Mail: supportovv@rotterdam.nl

Exemptions: Concrete mixer, Fire brigade, Military, Mobile cranes, Vintage car older than 40 years, Police car, Circus caravan, Showcar for e-g. fairs (registration/application necessary) and Sweeper

What is an environmental zone (LEZ/ZFE/ZBE)?

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. 

What is a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ)?

ZEZ stands for "Zero Emission Zone", which in German means "Null-Emissions-Zone". A ZEZ is a specific area in a city or region where only zero-emission vehicles are allowed. This means that only electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and other alternative-powered vehicles that emit no pollutants are allowed in these zones.

The introduction of ZEZs is part of an effort to improve air quality in cities and regions and reduce the impact of air pollution on residents' health. By restricting access to these zones by vehicles with high emissions, air quality is improved.

Some cities and regions have already begun implementing ZEZs, while others have planned to do so in the near future. Examples of cities that have planned ZEZs include London, Madrid, and Paris.

It should be noted that the introduction of ZEZs not only improves air quality, but also helps to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a way to support the transportation transition by encouraging the use of electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles.

Do I need stickers or registrations?

No. Here you do not need to buy a sticker or apply for registration. You only have to follow the rules of entry.


Our Green-Zones App helps you to avoid penalties.

Unfortunately there are no exact street signs known. Therefore it is difficult to know when you are in the environmental zone.


Our Green-Zones App helps you to avoid penalties.

Good to know...

All current driving bans and further information are available in our Green-Zones App.


Attention low emission zones in Belgium: Up to 350 euro fine!

Belgium has drastically tightened its low emission zones for vehicles in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent since 2022, with further restrictions planned for 2025. Anyone driving in these cities must expect a fine of up to 350 euros. This regulation applies not only to local drivers, but also to foreign drivers. In all three cities, there is an environmental zone in which certain vehicles are not allowed to drive. Cameras monitor compliance with the rules by recording and comparing the licence plates of vehicles.

Electric cars and particulate matter: how do they go together?

Air pollution has been with us since the beginning of industrialisation. It is omnipresent, especially in cities. However, with technological progress and the relocation of factories away from city centres, air quality has improved in most wealthy countries. A major source of air pollution, the internal combustion engine, seems to be slowly being replaced by electric cars. But are electric cars really the environmentally friendly alternative they appear to be?