A low-emission zone (LEZ) is an area where certain vehicles that produce pollution are not allowed or are limited. This helps improve air quality. Vehicles that are encouraged in these areas include bicycles, small vehicles like scooters, some vehicles that use alternative fuels, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and vehicles that produce no emissions, such as all-electric cars.

An ultra-low-emission zone (ULEZ) is an area with even stricter rules about vehicle emissions compared to a LEZ.

A zero-emission zone (ZEZ) is a type of LEZ where only vehicles that produce no emissions are allowed. In these areas, all vehicles that use fuel burned inside the engine are banned. This includes plug-in hybrid vehicles that cannot operate without using fuel. Only vehicles powered entirely by electricity or hydrogen, along with walking, cycling, and fully electric public transport such as trams and electric buses, are permitted in a ZEZ.

Workings

In many Low Emission Zones (LEZs), vehicles that do not meet the emission rules for the LEZ are not blocked from entering (for example, by automatic barriers). Instead, these vehicles are fined if they enter the zone. However, no fine is given if the driver pays a fee called the LEZ daily charge. In some LEZs, like the one in London, cameras automatically read vehicle license plates as they enter the zone. These cameras check the license plates against a database that includes:

• vehicles that meet the LEZ emission rules,
• vehicles that are exempt or qualify for a full discount,
• vehicles for which the LEZ daily charge has been paid.

This fee or fine is designed to discourage people from driving vehicles that do not meet the LEZ emission rules into the city. As a result, drivers with such vehicles often try to avoid paying this fee or fine by using different methods.

Intent and actual impact

The purpose of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) is to improve air quality in cities. This goal is achieved, as levels of diesel particulates (PM10) decrease in most LEZs, and health conditions improve.

This often happens because people who own polluting vehicles replace them with vehicles that meet higher emission standards. This may involve buying a new vehicle or driving on roads farther from areas with high pollution. However, some people, such as workers on night shifts or those who need to carry heavy tools or cargo, still need a car but may not afford cleaner vehicles that are not subsidized. For this reason, in some places, LEZs are only enforced when public transportation is available or when electric taxis or cargo bikes are supported by subsidies.

The European Federation for Transport and Environment believes that LEZs should become zero-emission mobility zones over time. These zones should work with policies that encourage switching to cleaner alternatives, such as walking and cycling.

Most LEZs that are not also congestion charge zones do not change the number of vehicles entering the zone. However, some LEZs, such as the one in Milan, also act as congestion charge zones and can reduce the number of vehicles entering the city.

Implementation by country

In 2019, there were about 250 low-emission zones (LEZ) that help meet EU air quality standards. This means that vehicles may be banned from a LEZ, or in some cases charged if they enter a LEZ when their emissions are over a set level. Although common in Europe, the continent's largest cities are lacking: Istanbul has no LEZ and Moscow's is not enforced.

Different vehicles may be regulated, depending on local conditions. All LEZs apply to heavy vehicles, some to diesel vans, others also to diesel and petrol cars; in Italy, motor cycles and three-wheelers are also liable to control.

A publicly funded website 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.

• Sign indicating the start of a low-emission zone in Belgium

• Antwerp: Since 2017, there has been a LEZ in Antwerp, 24/7. Only diesel vehicles above Euro 3/III standard and petrol vehicles above Euro 1/I standard are allowed to enter the LEZ.
• Brussels: Since 2018, the entire Brussels Capital Region has been a LEZ. Only diesel vehicles above Euro 5/V standard are allowed to enter Brussels. Since 2026, petrol or gas-powered vehicles need to be Euro 3/III or more.
• Ghent introduced a LEZ on 1 January 2020.

Low emission zones in Antwerp and Brussels have improved air quality, reduced health issues, and helped address economic differences.

On 1 December 2023, Sofia introduced the first LEZ in Eastern Europe, banning Euro 1 vehicles from the Bulgarian capital's city centre during the winter. The zone is to be gradually expanded to a wider area and to Euro 2 vehicles by the end of 2027.

A LEZ is present in Beijing.

Denmark has LEZs that apply to vehicles over 3.5 t. In Denmark, LEZs exist in Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, and Odense.

The low emission zone (zone à faibles émissions; ZFE or zones à circulation restreinte; ZCR) in Paris is operational 8am to 8pm on weekdays, prohibiting certain vehicles from entering during its periods of operation. An air quality (crit'air) sticker is required for all vehicles and must meet the minimum standards. Other French cities with a LEZ in operation include Grenoble, Lyon, and Strasbourg.

In Germany, an LEZ is called an environmental zone (Umweltzone). There are currently 47 LEZs in operation or in planning in Germany. The cities of Berlin, Cologne, Hanover, Mannheim, and Stuttgart started LEZs in their central city areas in 2008, and more cities followed in the years after.

Since the end of 2015, the Hong Kong Government has designated three major junctions in Central, Causeway Bay, and Mong Kok as low emission zones for franchised buses. For bus routes entering the three zones, franchised bus operators are required to use only buses meeting emission standards of Euro IV or above except when necessary. The LEZ scheme does not cover vehicles other than franchised buses. As of 31 December 2019, the standard for entry into the LEZ has been increased to Euro V.

The first LEZ in Indonesia is implemented at the old downtown of Jakarta, the Kota Tua Jakarta. It was first implemented on 8 February 2021 after a trial run from 18–23 December 2020. The city government chose Kota Tua Jakarta as an LEZ to reduce air pollution on the site due to its historical value. Air pollution is a concern because it can damage the structure of old buildings within the site. The LEZ implementation is permanent and only TransJakarta buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles with special markers are allowed to enter the streets of the old town.

LEZ is also implemented at the surrounding area of Tebet Eco Park in South Jakarta. Unlike the previous one in Kota Tua, the LEZ in Tebet Eco Park is only implemented on weekends and public holidays. Residents or workers in the surrounding area of the park must place a sticker with a QR code on their vehicle.

Italy has LEZs that apply to all vehicles. 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. These are mainly found in northern Italy, but also in central Italy and Sicily. Some limited traffic zones are also aimed at limiting pollution levels. LEZs are in the legal framework of the Zona a traffico limitato (Limited traffic zone), which is a general prohibition on vehicular traffic in a designated area, with exceptions outlined in the road sign warning drivers of the start of such an area. As of 2026, there is no differentiation in the signage between an LEZ limited traffic zone and a non-LEZ limited traffic zone, and drivers are supposed to deduce from the list of exempted vehicles if they are allowed to transit.

In Tokyo, the municipal government decided to tackle controlling diesel vehicle emissions (particulate matter emissions, …) far ahead of the national government.

Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Arnhem have LEZs (milieuzone) applying to passenger cars and delivery vans. Only diesel passenger cars and diesel delivery vans meeting the emission standards of Euro 4 and above are allowed to enter the LEZs. Diesel trucks and diesel buses/coaches must meet Euro VI (6) or above to enter the LEZs. The LEZ of Arnhem does not apply to buses/coaches.

The LEZ of Amsterdam covers most areas inside the A10 highway, but the highway itself is not part of the LEZ.

The LEZ of The Hague covers the area enclosed by the Centrumring (S100) and Professor B.M. Teldersweg (S200). These roads themselves, as well as the road from Lijnbaan to the visitors’ car park and the parking garage of the HMC Westeinde hospital, are not part of the LEZ.

Rotterdam has an LEZ applying to trucks only. Diesel trucks must meet the Euro VI (6) emission standard or