Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are being introduced in cities across Europe to help improve local air quality by encouraging owners of the most polluting vehicles to clean up exhaust emissions. LEZs are areas where the most polluting vehicles are regulated. Usually this means that vehicles with higher emissions cannot enter the area. In some low emission zones the more polluting vehicles have to pay more if they enter the low emission zone. All low emission zones affect heavy duty goods vehicles (usually over 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)), and most affect buses and coaches. 

On 8 November 2017, the European Commission presented a clean mobility package, consisting of legislative proposals on road transport vehicles, infrastructures and combined transport of goods, non-legislative measures presented in an alternative fuels action plan, and a communication on low-emission mobility.

The Clean Bus Deployment Initiative was launched by the European Commission in July 2017. With the Paris climate agreement in force, the EU is more than ever committed to a global transition towards a low carbon economy. Local and regional leaders have a key role in cutting carbon emissions by upgrading our transport systems making them cleaner, more energy efficient and more sustainable.

Policy