Public consultation: Dutch government wants to give Euro 6 vans one extra year of access to zero-emission zones

NEWS

POLICY & LEGAL

Heleen Kommers, Wednesday 24 June 2026

73 sec

Transitional arrangement extended until the end of 2028; extra time for businesses with diesel vans

Green contractors and other businesses may receive an additional year to replace their vans with zero-emission vehicles. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is working on an amendment to the regulations governing zero-emission zones. As a result, vans with Euro 6 emissions classification and a first registration date before 2025 may continue to make use of the transitional arrangement until 31 December 2028.

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The measure is included in a public consultation that runs until 13 August. According to the ministry, the extension is intended to give businesses more time to prepare for the transition to zero-emission transport.

The measure is included in a public consultation that runs until 13 August

Important for green contractors

The proposed change could be significant for landscapers and green contractors. Many companies still rely on relatively new Euro 6 vans to transport employees, tools and materials. Without the extension, the transitional arrangement would expire at the end of 2027.

The ministry describes Euro 6 vans as the largest and least polluting group within the current van fleet. The extension ensures that these vehicles will retain access for an additional year to the growing number of zero-emission zones.

Green space maintenance often takes place in urban areas where zero-emission zones have been introduced or are planned

Implications for municipal contracts

The measure may also affect public space management. Green maintenance activities are often carried out in urban areas where zero-emission zones already exist or are being introduced. For contractors carrying out work for municipalities, the extension means that existing vehicles can remain in operation for longer.

At the same time, the overall policy direction remains unchanged. Zero-emission zones are intended to gradually make urban logistics emission-free. New vans and trucks will therefore ultimately need to be zero-emission in order to gain access to these zones.

The proposed extension gives municipalities and contractors more time to prepare for a fully zero-emission vehicle fleet, without placing immediate pressure on ongoing maintenance and management activities.

Many companies still use relatively new Euro 6 vans to transport employees, tools and materials

This article was previously published on 23 June 2026 on the Stad + Groen website.

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