Low-emission zone

A low-emission zone (LEZ) is a defined area where access by some polluting vehicles is restricted or deterred with the aim of improving air quality.

Some people (such as workers on night shift or carrying heavy tools or cargo) however can't do without a car, but might not be able to afford to purchase unsubsidized cleaner vehicles.

[8] The European Federation for Transport and Environment is of the opinion that LEZs should be gradually turned into zero-emission mobility zones and complement policies promoting a switch to clean alternatives, including walking and cycling, among others.

[4] As of 2019[update] there are about 250 low-emission zones (LEZ),[11] which help meet EU health-based air quality limit values.

Although common in Europe the continent's largest cities are lacking: Istanbul has no LEZ and Moscow's is not enforced.

Since the end of 2015, the Hong Kong Government has designated three major junctions in Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok as low emission zone for franchised buses.

[28] The city government chose Kota Tua Jakarta as an LEZ in order to reduce air pollution on the site due to its rich historical value.

The LEZ implementation is permanent and only TransJakarta buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles with special marker are allowed to enter the streets of the old town.

Unlike the previous one in Kota Tua, LEZ in Tebet Eco Park is only implemented on weekends and public holidays.

[30] Residents or workers in the surrounding area of the park have to place a sticker with QR code on their vehicle.

[13] There are combined LEZs and urban road tolling schemes in Milan and Palermo as well as low emission zones with differing standards and time periods.

[33][34] Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Arnhem have LEZs (milieuzone) applying to passenger cars and delivery vans.

[43] Seville rolled back its low-emission zone under the mayorship of Juan Ignacio Zoido in 2011,[44] but at date of August 2021 a new system was in the process of implementation.

[46] The cities of Gothenburg, Lund, Malmö, Helsingborg, Mölndal, Uppsala, Umeå and Stockholm have low-emission zones.

The following cities have plans to introduce LEZs: Aberdeen (2020), Bath (2021), Birmingham (2019), Derby, Dundee (2020), Edinburgh (2020), Manchester (2022), Newcastle (2021), and Sheffield (2021).

[54] Leeds also intended to introduce a LEZ, however increased uptake of cleaner vehicles led to the scheme's cancellation in 2020.

[55] As of June 2020[update], Oxford is claiming to become the first city to implement a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) scheme, beginning with a small area to go into effect by mid 2021.