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Low-emission zone

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Sign for zero-emission zone

A Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) is a geographically defined area which seeks to restrict or deter access by specific polluting vehicles or only allow low (as regular or plug-in hybrid) or zero emission (as all-electric) vehicles, with the aim of improving the air quality.

A Zero-Emission Zone (ZEZ) is a LEZ where only Zero -Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are allowed. In this places, for example, combustion vehicles are banned and all-electric vehicles allowed.

Europe-Wide

Over 70 cities and towns in 8 countries around Europe operate or are preparing Low Emission Zones, or LEZs, to help meet the EU health-based air quality limit values, where the most polluting vehicles are regulated. This means that vehicles may be banned or in some cases charged if they enter the LEZ when their emissions are over a set level. Different vehicles are regulated, depending on the local conditions. All LEZs affect heavy duty vehicles, some affect diesel vans, others also affect diesel and petrol cars; in Italy, motor cycles and three-wheelers are also included.

A Publicly Funded website, http://www.lowemissionzones.eu, run by a network of cities and ministries operating or preparing LEZs, gives up-to-date information on LEZs, such as which cities have LEZs, the vehicle types affected, the required emissions standards and their application dates.

Japan

Tokyo has been a Low Emission Zone since October 2003.

Germany

Sign marking a German Low Emission Zone

In Germany, LEV are called Umweltzones.

Berlin started an LEZ in the central city area on 1 January 2008, as did Cologne and Hanover. An LEZ came into effect in Stuttgart on 1 March 2008. More cities will follow this year.[1]

An LEZ was also scheduled to start on 1 March 2008 in Mannheim. [2]

Sweden

The cities of Gothenburg, Lund, Malmö and Stockholm have Low Emission Zones.

United Kingdom

Main article: London low emission zone

The Mayor of London announced establishment of a Low Emission Zone which came into effect on 4 February 2008 covering almost all of Greater London - the largest such zone in the world. London currently has levels of air pollution among the worst in Europe and road transport related emissions account for around half of total emissions of PM10 and NOx in the capital. The Low Emission Zone will target emissions of these pollutants from older diesel-engined lorries, buses, coaches, vans, minibuses and other heavy vehicles that are derived from lorries and vans such as motor caravans and motorised horse boxes. There will be a phased introduction of the scheme from 4 February 2008 through to January 2012. Different vehicles will be affected over time and increasingly tougher emissions standards will apply.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ From sites:
  2. ^ see the towns press-information (German): http://www.presse-service.de/data.cfm/enwiki/static/686716.html
  3. ^ "Emissions standards". Transport for London. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
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