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1. Low-emission zone
A low-emission zone (LEZ) is a specific area in a city or region where access by certain high-polluting vehicles is restricted or banned to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Only vehicles that meet specific emission standards (usually related to CO₂, NOx, and particulate matter) are allowed to enter without a fine or fee. In many European cities like London, Paris, or Berlin, LEZs are marked with signs like: 'Low Emission Zone – Only Euro 6 Vehicles Allowed' Vehicles that don’t comply may be fined or required to pay an extra fee.
- Restricted entry for older, polluting vehicles (e.g., diesel trucks, old cars).
- Environmental criteria applied to vehicles based on their emission class (Euro standard).
- Traffic signs at entry points to notify drivers.
- Surveillance cameras used to monitor and fine non-compliant vehicles.
- Sometimes, a fee is charged for non-compliant vehicles (also called a Congestion Charge Zone).
- Some cities also have Ultra Low-Emission Zones (ULEZ) or Zero-Emission Zones for even stricter pollution control.
Begin of a low-emission zone. (Leiden, Netherlands) © Wikimedia.org/Bic, CC BY-SA
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