Flanders Defers Stricter Vehicle Emission Standards Despite Brussels LEZ Suspension
Flanders is maintaining its intention to postpone the implementation of stricter vehicle emission standards in Antwerp and Ghent, even as a recent court ruling casts doubt on similar measures in Brussels. The planned tightening of regulations, originally slated for 2026, would have restricted access for older, more polluting vehicles.
The move comes amid uncertainty following a Constitutional Court decision regarding the Brussels Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which temporarily suspended a planned expansion.While Brussels grapples with its LEZ timeline, Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns (CD&V) has publicly affirmed her commitment to delaying the 2026 ban.”The hardening will not be applied, I guarantee it,” Brouns stated to Nieuwsblad. Though, environmental groups like Bond Beter Leefmilieu argue that the court ruling in Brussels effectively eliminates the possibility of implementing the Flemish LEZ phase.
the planned Flemish regulations aimed to further restrict diesel vehicles, building on existing low-emission zones.The postponement impacts drivers of older diesel vehicles-specifically those not meeting Euro 6 standards-who may face restrictions on accessing city centers in Antwerp and Ghent.The environmental association Bond Beter Leefmilieu contends that Brouns ”no longer has the choice” and that abandoning the next phase of the Flemish LEZ is inevitable.
