From 2030, vehicles with diesel engines will no longer be allowed in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Brussels. In 2035, vehicles with petrol LPG engines will follow. This was already stated in the Brussels coalition agreement, but the details of the plan were also effectively announced today. The Brussels government wants to facilitate the transition to a cleaner fleet in Brussels.
From 2022, the last diesel vehicles without a particulate filter, Euro standard 4, will no longer be allowed in the LEZ of Brussels. In 2025, diesel vehicles with Euro standard 5 will follow. In 2030, the Brussels government wants to completely ban vehicles with diesel engines. In 2035 it will be the turn of vehicles with petrol LPG engines. The latter two intentions were already included in the Brussels coalition agreement of 2019, but will be officially announced today.
The passage in question from the Brussels coalition agreement:
The Government will further develop the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The Government confirms its willingness to phase out diesel by 2030 at the latest and petrol and LPG by 2035 at the latest. The Government will determine the accompanying measures, taking into account the social situation of the families.
With these decisions, Brussels aims to tackle air pollution and meet the European climate target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Many other larger European cities - such as Amsterdam, Paris, London and Oslo - already have a similar objective to phase out combustion engine vehicles. to phase.
To facilitate the phase-out, the Brussels government has drawn up a timetable for the different types of vehicles.
To ensure that the transition happens gradually and in a fair way, the Brussels government has also approved a roadmap, the " Low Emission Mobility Brussels ". It contains accompanying measures, including for people with reduced mobility, small and medium-sized enterprises and car sharing.
Various measures are also being taken to facilitate the transition, such as financial support, information and awareness-raising and the roll-out of charging stations for electric vehicles.
"With this new step in the organization of the Brussels low-emission zone, we confirm that the Region is striving for a socially just climate transition," said Brussels Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (PS). “Societal accompanying measures are already in place for this project and others will be developed so that everyone can find a suitable way to move around according to their needs, which is better for air quality and climate.”
The other ministers are also satisfied. "Today, the government is sending a new and clear signal: it wants to go further to protect the health of its inhabitants, to encourage less polluting mobility and to realize Europe's climate ambitions," said Brussels Minister of Climate Transition Alain Maron (Ecolo). ).
"Brussels is investing massively in alternatives to the private car," said Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Groen). "First and foremost in public transport: in 2020 alone, 1 billion euros was invested in STIB to offer Brussels residents a more accessible, more intricate, more frequently served and more comfortable network." Investments are also being made in better infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
N-VA and MR ask themselves questions
Opposition party N-VA believes that the flanking measures of the Brussels government are inadequate. “Everyone knows that the phasing out of fossil fuels is a good thing,” confirms N-VA party leader in the Brussels parliament Cieltje Van Achter, “but if you decide today not to allow fossil fuel cars in the city by 2035, then you also expect a certain ambition in the flanking policy? That is completely missing."
"We all know the slowness of Brussels. It takes forever to build a bicycle path, or even install a charging station. That charging station strategy is hugely behind schedule. After all these years, we are still nowhere. But if you expect that citizens today take into account the ban on petrol cars in 2035, then you must also provide the charging stations today to charge your new car.”
When will all this happen in Brussels?
The same voice can be heard from the French-speaking opposition party MR. "There are some credible cities, such as Amsterdam, where people are moving away from diesel and petrol," said MR group leader in the Brussels parliament Alexia Bertrand. "There is a detailed plan with investments, partnerships and support for the citizens. When will all this happen in Brussels? The Brussels government is clearing itself without preparing the work on the ground."
The ministers of the Flemish government, Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA) and Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open VLD), did not wish to respond to the Brussels initiative.
Source: (Credits)
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2021/06/25/brussels-gewest-kondigt-einde-van-diesel-en-benzinetijdperk-a/