The Antwerp city council doubts the further tightening of the low-emission zone (LEZ) from 2028 onward. So write the Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Laatste Nieuws. A study on the impact of existing and future air quality measures should provide the answer. In Antwerp, diesel cars will normally no longer be allowed from 2031. From 2035, gasoline cars will also be banned.

In a letter to Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA), the Antwerp city council has asked for a critical approach to the LEZ based on figures. In the letter, the city asks for a thorough impact study on air quality of the evolutions and measures that have been or will be taken.

According to Antwerp Alderman for the Environment Tom Meeuws (Vooruit), the LEZ has not solved the problem of street canyons in Antwerp. These streets have high facades where car emissions linger, thus causing poor air quality.

Air pollution there appears to be even higher than on the Antwerp Ring Road. In October last year, measurements by the action group Recht op Lucht found illegally high concentrations in three of the 12 streets studied.

Emission-free buses from De Lijn

Meeuws also pleads in the letter for only emission-free buses operated by De Lijn to be allowed in the city, no doubt a response to the news recently for an exemption for De Lijn so that the transport company can avoid massive fines for violations in LEZ from 2026.

The Flemish coalition agreement states they want emission-free public transport in cities by 2025. But according to the director general of De Lijn Ann Schoubs, this will not happen.

A further tightening in Antwerp is scheduled for 1 January 2026. Then, gasoline cars with Euro 2 and diesel cars with Euro 5 would be banned in Antwerp (and Gent). Euro 6 buses will also be banned from entering, a tightening for all intents and purposes to which the city agrees.

Rationally, not dogmatically

Antwerp was the first Flemish city to introduce the LEZ on 1 February 2017. Last year, 52 000 drivers were fined because their cars did not meet the LEZ’s access conditions. That is about 1,5% of cars entering and leaving the city.

But Meeuws now wonders whether this is not more trouble than it is worth. According to him, air quality has improved since its introduction. Still, the decision on tightening from 2028 onward should be made rationally based on figures and not dogmatically, also because, he says, several interventions have come along in the meantime that can meet air quality standards.