Actually, diesel cars should have been banished from the center of many Dutch cities as early as January 1, 2025. But now the government is showing that it wants to create a loophole.
The Netherlands has long planned a ban on diesel cars, which was due to come into force on 1 January 2025. This diesel ban would in principle mean that diesel cars, including vans, would no longer be allowed in the center of most of the country's cities.
But now it seems that the rules may be changed. There has been a proposal that diesel vans may still be allowed to drive until 2029.
The new proposal has been put forward by the government party VVD, which argues that the original ban will create problems for many small and medium-sized businesses.
According to the VVD, especially the business operators who cannot afford to invest in electric carriages are in a difficult situation if the ban comes into force without changes.
Although the proposal can alleviate certain challenges for many companies, it also raises a number of questions. Especially with business operators who have already bought electric cars.
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Several businesses have already invested in expensive electric vans to comply with the upcoming regulations.
If VVD's proposal is adopted, these companies may feel cheated, as they have spent money on an investment that may not have been necessary.
Having to see others continue with their diesel coaches until 2029 can be perceived as unfair to those who acted in good faith on the previously notified rules. That's what Autovise writes.
However, it is still uncertain whether the diesel coaches will actually be allowed in the city centers after January 2025. The VVD's proposal must first be approved by the Dutch legislative assemblies before it can come into force. At present, however, it appears that the VVD is gaining support and can therefore postpone the ban.
The final decision has not yet been taken, and there is therefore still a possibility that the original ban will be implemented. This will likely have consequences for both companies that have not yet switched to electric cars and those that have already adapted to the new rules.
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