Many business owners in Groningen have allegedly been using their personal vehicles to come into the newly formed zero-emission zone rather than using delivery vans as designed. A new program was started in November of last year by the City of Groningen, which is in the process of creating a zero-emission zone through gradually restricting older delivery and freight vehicles while requiring all new commercial vehicles to become, and be, fully zero-emitting over time.
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How Small Business Owners Are Bypassing the Rules
The zero-emission zone will facilitate improved air quality, diminished noise generated by traffic, and increased space for pedestrians and cyclists. Business owners are currently expected to transition to the use of zero-emission vehicles; however, as air and noise pollution and hazards associated with them will continue to increase on city streets, there will be an increased restriction on older delivery vans and freight vehicles.
The zero-emission zone does not regulate the use of personal vehicles.
Personal vehicles can still operate on gasoline or diesel to gain access to the city centre, whereas commercial delivery vans are subject to all established zero-emission zone restrictions. Therefore, several business owners are attempting to access their business in the city centre with their personal vehicle (non-commercial) instead of needing to acquire a fully zero-emission vehicle for commercial purposes.
One of the local business owners who has spoke out is John Meijer, owner of a local Coffee Shop, regarding the disparity in use of the types of vehicles to access the city centre, "You can drive your delivery vehicle (commercial) but your personal vehicle has a large number of loopholes to take advantage of and don't operate under the same restrictions as do delivery vehicles.
" Meijer was looking into purchasing a delivery van, but was unable to afford to .
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