What are zero-emission zones?
A zero-emission zone (ZEZ) is a designated area where only zero-emission vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists are permitted unrestricted access. Other vehicles are not permitted entrance, or must pay a fee to enter. Some ZEZs permit hybrid electric vehicles to enter, and these zones are referred to as “near-ZEZs”. Due to freight transportation’s outsize impact on carbon emissions, several cities have chosen to establish zero-emission zones exclusively focused on freight transport.
Several dozen cities around the world, most of them in Europe, have implemented or announced plans to establish zero-emission zones. The United States is yet to implement a ZEZ. Global ZEZ development occurs in the context of a rapid increase in electric vehicles on city streets. Increased electric vehicle sales enable the establishment of ZEZs, which, in turn, incentivize electric vehicle ownership.
How to establish a ZEZ? What are some possible obstacles to establishing zero-emission zones?
| Legal/Political | Lack of political acceptance due to fears of public reactions | Bureaucratic/slow decision making | Privacy concerns regarding street sensors and cameras, enabling occupancy control and street charging |
| Financial | Needs large-scale investment in EVs and EV infrastructure | Incremental long-term vs immediate short term improvement impacts budget considerations | How to account for a wide range of stakeholders with competing financial interests |
| Technological | Putting in sensors and street cameras at scale | Creating convenient apps and platforms | Open-source data and data platforms (ie data on traffic flow) |
| Other | Support from local communities | What happens to those that cannot afford electric vehicles? | How to scale up, ie from a single street to an entire section of a city |
Who is Arjan Oranje?
Arjan Oranje is program manager for zero emission mobility in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Starting in 2025, Rotterdam is designating its city center as a zero-emissions zone.
Learn More
How C40 cities are implementing zero emission areas
Zero emissions areas: Why aren’t they everywhere? | World Economic Forum
Zero Emissions Zones: A tool to target benefits of vehicle electrification to communities that need it most - The Greenlining Institute
Can low emissions zones effectively regulate traffic in cities? | Automotive World
For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/zero-emission-zones-with-rotterdams-arjan-oranje/
