1 day Ago
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 purchase an electric delivery van because of the cost (due to the size of his business). He stated that the access he had with a personal vehicle to the city centre was much improved compared to what he would have with an electric delivery vehicle.
A local entrepreneur has also implemented the same strategy. Jacco Boddeus owns a local party production retail location and sold his diesel delivery van for €500 approximately six months ago due to the diminished resale value of the vehicle with the implementation of the current regulations.
Boddeus subsequently replaced the diesel van with a gasoline vehicle. While the gasoline vehicle is larger than the diesel van and consumes more fuel, Boddeus states that the gasoline vehicle provides him with a better understanding of the confusion and controversies surrounding the changes in regulations because gasoline vehicles are allowed while diesel vehicles are prohibited.
The City of Groningen's Position on Personal Vehicle Use in the Zero-Emission Zone.
According to the spokesperson for the City of Groningen, some business owners are using their personal vehicles for business use in contravention of established regulations in the zero-emission zone. However, the City of Groningen expects fewer business owners will continue to use personal vehicles in the future for access to the city centre.
The spokesperson has also stated they believe that most business owners will be using delivery vehicles for their business use because they are more practical for transporting goods. Further, the City of Groningen indicated that the City's ability to enforce the zero-emission zone does not extend to enforcing the use of personal vehicles within the City of Groningen, thereby restricting the City's ability to close the loophole.
