It's time for a zero emission zone for freight in London

1 September 2026

man in black jacket riding motorcycle on road during daytime

Zak Bond

Zak is a Campaign Manager at Clean Cities, leading the Electrify London campaign. He previously worked at London Councils, the umbrella body for London’s local authorities, where he led policy development and advocacy on net zero and air quality. Prior to this, he worked at Asthma + Lung UK, campaigning for a stronger Environment Bill and greater action by cities to tackle air pollution.

There are too many diesel vans on London’s streets. Unless we act now, they will continue to hold London back from achieving our clean air and climate ambitions.

Over the past decade, London has made decent progress in cleaning up some parts of its transport system. The Ultra Low Emission Zone has accelerated the shift away from the dirtiest vehicles, diesel-free black cabs have transformed one of the capital's most recognisable fleets, and the 3000th electric bus has now hit our streets.

But one part of the transport system has been left behind: freight.

At the end of 2025, businesses in London had registered 100,761 diesel vans on London’s streets, compared with just 5,582 battery electric company vans [1]. (And that doesn’t include privately owned vans.) That's 18 diesel company vans for every electric van, and the highest number of diesel vans ever recorded in the capital. Worse still, the number of diesel vans is actually rising.

Vans play a key role in driving London's economy. They deliver parcels, transport equipment, keep tradespeople moving and help businesses operate every day. But as cars, taxis and buses become cleaner, the transition to electric vans is happening far too slowly. The Mayor’s net zero pathway said that 34 percent of van kilometres need to be electric by 2030, but at the moment that figure is around 7% [2]. Unless that changes, London risks falling behind on its climate targets.

The impact isn't just on the climate. Diesel vans are now the single largest transport source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution in inner and central London [3]. Thanks to the rapid electrification of London's taxi fleet and better progress by cars, vans have overtaken every other road vehicle as the biggest transport contributor to this harmful pollutant in the heart of our global city.

Poor air quality continues to damage public health, contributing to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and thousands of premature deaths. Cleaning up London's van fleet is therefore one of the biggest opportunities we have to improve the air that Londoners breathe.

It’s time to learn from what works

The good news is that London doesn’t have to invent a solution from scratch. Across the Netherlands, cities have begun introducing zero emission zones for freight (ZEZ-F), creating a clear pathway towards cleaner urban logistics [4].

These zones provide businesses with a roadmap for change. Cities announce in advance when newly purchased diesel vans and trucks will no longer be able to enter designated areas. Existing vehicles are phased out over time, and exemptions are available where appropriate to ensure a just transition.

The result has been exactly what businesses need most: certainty.

When companies know the direction of travel, they invest with confidence. Manufacturers bring more electric models to market. Leasing companies expand their electric vehicle offers. Charging providers invest because they know demand will grow. Businesses operate on a level playing field and replace vehicles knowing that their investment will remain future-proof.

The results are striking.

In the first half of 2026, 84% of new vans sold in the Netherlands were electric [5]. In the UK, that figure is just 14% [1].

That gap is not because Dutch businesses are fundamentally different from British ones. It is because clear, long-term policy has given the market confidence to invest.

London should take note.

The next step for London

Introducing a zero emission zone for freight would provide exactly the kind of market certainty London needs.

The Dutch approach would give fleet operators confidence to invest in electric vans, stimulate investment in charging infrastructure and encourage manufacturers to bring more vehicles to the UK market.

Most importantly, it would send a clear signal that London's freight future is zero emission.

Businesses repeatedly tell policymakers that they need certainty. Fleet replacement decisions are made years in advance, and uncertainty delays investment. A clear timetable for a zero emission zone for freight would remove that uncertainty and accelerate the transition to a greener fleet. It will also help companies to think differently about their operations and, for example, drive the shift to cargo bikes which can be more efficient and cheaper to operate.

London has shown before that ambitious transport policies can transform our city. The success of ULEZ and the electrification of London's taxi fleet demonstrate that - when government sets a clear direction - businesses and consumers respond.

Now it is time to bring that same ambition to freight.

A zero emission zone for freight would give businesses the certainty they need and accelerate the switch to electric vans so that we build a cleaner, healthier and more competitive London.