The LEZ (Low Emission Zone) in Antwerp was established in February 2017 and covers the city centre and the Linkeroever district. At the beginning of next year, the authorities will further restrict traffic in the zone.
The restrictions on access to the Low Emissions Zone in Antwerp apply to vehicles of all categories: cars, campers, buses, vans and trucks.
The zone covers 20 km² and is valid at all times, 24/7, also on Sundays and holidays.
From the introduction of the LEZ until the end of this year, petrol vehicles of class 0 and diesel vehicles of class Euro 0 to 3 are banned. Vehicles with diesel engines of Euro classes 0 to 3 can enter the zone with a green ticket during the transition period. The fine for non-compliance is between €150 and €350.
New stricter LEZ rules
Only vehicles that meet the relevant standards and are registered in Belgium or the Netherlands may enter the zone without registration in the LEZ system. Owners and drivers of foreign vehicles must register at https://lez.antwerpen.be/?Taal=DE or at the LEZ vending machine in Antwerp.
From 1 January 2020, the following vehicles from abroad registered in the system can enter the zone:
– vehicles that run on petrol and LPG or natural gas and comply with Euro 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 standards,
– Euro 4, 5 and 6 diesel vehicles,
– electric vehicles,
– hydrogen-powered vehicles,
– plug-in hybrids with a maximum CO2 emission of 49 g/km,
– Euronorm 3 diesel vehicles with particulate filter,
– vehicles with a better Euro standard than that contained in the LEZ database.
Registration must be made at the latest within 24 hours of entry into the zone.
Vehicles that do not meet the above standards will be able to enter the LEZ after purchasing a one-day LEZ card. The card can be purchased a maximum of 8 times per year. The cost from March 2020 will be €35.
New LEZ zone in Ghent
From 1 January 2020, Ghent has also introduced a Low Emission Zone. It covers the entire city centre. There is a general speed limit of 30 km/h there. The regulations in force in the LEZ zone have covered vehicles of category M (carriage of passengers by passenger cars, minibuses, buses and coaches), category N (carriage of goods) by commercial vehicles and trucks and category T (agricultural and forestry vehicles) with wheeled tractors.
The following vehicles will be able to enter the LEZ in Ghent without a green ticket, but upon registration through https://lez.stad.gent/en:
– vehicles that run on petrol and LPG or natural gas and comply with Euro 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 standards,
– Euro 5 and 6 diesel vehicles.
Vehicles with Euro 4 diesel engine will have access to the zone only with a green ticket.
For violations of the LEZ rules in Ghent, there is a €150 to €350 fine, just like in Antwerp.
Both zones will introduce stricter rules in January 2025.
Photo:Flickr/Fred Romero