What are LEZs?

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas where the most polluting vehicles are restricted from entering an area. This means that vehicles are banned, or in some cases charged, if they enter the LEZ when their emissions are over a set level.
They are also know as Environment Zones, Umweltzonen, Milieuzones, Lavutslippssone, Miljozone, Miljözon.

They are often the most effective measure that cities can take to reduce air pollution problems in their area. The emissions that are aimed to be reduced by LEZs are mainly fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and indirectly ozone.

Vehicle emissions are classified by the so-called "Euro Standards" for the vehicles that they affect. In many cases another factor is whether or not the vehicle has a particulate filter. Before you travel into a LEZ, you need to find out the emissions standard of your vehicle.

 All LEZs affect heavy duty goods vehicles (usually over 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)), and most buses and coaches (usually defined as over 5 tonnes GVW). Some LEZs affect vans, cars and motorcycles.

Most LEZs operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with the Italian LEZs currently the only exception to this rule.