The most disturbing aspect of this decision is that Amsterdam is not living up to its own standards.
The plans of the municipality of Amsterdam to purchase 37 new garbage trucks that run on diesel have led to a heated discussion. This decision is at odds with the proposed measures under which diesel vehicles, including taxis, delivery vans and trucks, will no longer be welcome within the city's ring road from 2025. The municipality of Amsterdam seems to be undermining its own environmental objectives with this and rightly calls for criticism.
Alderman Zita Pels defends the choice of diesel vehicles by pointing to a lack of charging infrastructure and the urgent need to replace part of the garbage trucks. However, this argument is weak and insufficient to justify the use of polluting diesel vehicles, especially given Amsterdam's ambitious goal of achieving completely clean air within the municipal boundaries by 2030.
The use of diesel vehicles for garbage collection is in stark contrast to the two electric garbage trucks that went into operation on March 14. These vehicles, which are used to empty underground residual waste containers in the North and Southeast districts, are a small step in the right direction. However, compared to the 37 planned diesel vehicles, they are just a drop in the ocean.
Amsterdam has the potential to be a green and progressive city, but the choice of diesel garbage trucks shows a lack of vision and a disturbing short-term mindset.
The most disturbing aspect of this decision is that Amsterdam is not living up to its own standards. The municipality rightly states that all road users within the Amsterdam ring road may no longer cause harmful emissions from 2025. However, the purchase of diesel vehicles for garbage collection contradicts this intention. An average garbage truck consumes about 65 liters of diesel every day, which equates to a shocking 11.000 liters per year. This contributes significantly to the pollution and damage to the environment that the city wants to reduce.
The business community in Amsterdam is justified indignant about this double standard. From 2025, companies will no longer be welcome in the city with new diesel trucks, while the municipality itself will seize the exceptions that exist for transport within the emission-free zone.
"In 2027 our fleet will be completely climate neutral"
It is hypocritical and unfair that the municipality knows the rules and chooses to apply these exceptions. The purchase of diesel vehicles for garbage collection is labeled by the MKB Amsterdam company umbrella as “dishonorable” and “not fair”.
Guido Frankfurther, vice-chairman of MKB Amsterdam, is calling for broader transitional arrangements for companies that want to enter the center of Amsterdam after 2025 with a relatively clean, but not yet completely emission-free truck or delivery van. It is unrealistic and financially unfeasible for companies to write off their vehicles within five years and replace them with fully electric models.
The choice of the municipality of Amsterdam to purchase diesel garbage trucks sends the wrong signal to both the business community and the city's residents. It is a missed opportunity to play a leading role in the transition to sustainable transport and a clean living environment. The municipality should set a good example and invest in an extensive charging infrastructure to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles.
credibility
Moreover, the municipality can no longer claim credibility and authority in its pursuit of emission-free traffic within the municipal boundaries by 2030. It is clear that there is a lack of consistency and decisiveness in the policy. It is unacceptable that the municipality does not comply with its own standards and at the same time restricts companies in their options to comply with the environmental requirements.
"Transport companies have been facing the challenge of electrifying their fleet for years. Although more and more routes are suitable for fully electric driving, there are still many destinations and transports where electric driving is simply not feasible. In light of this decision by the municipality Amsterdam, we can certainly understand some of the excuses that are being made. However, the biggest point of criticism in this discussion is the inconsistency and inconsistency of the policy pursued."
Transport companies are making considerable efforts to make their fleet more sustainable. They have invested in cleaner diesel engines, hybrid vehicles and are actively exploring alternative fuels and technologies. It is disappointing for them to see that the municipality of Amsterdam does not show the same consistency in its own decision-making. Businesses need clear and stable guidelines to justify their investments in sustainable transport solutions. It is unreasonable and demotivating when companies are confronted with strict restrictions and prohibitions, while the government itself makes exceptions for its own fleet.
It is therefore crucial that the municipality reviews its policy, takes stricter measures and supports companies in the transition to clean and sustainable transport solutions. Only in this way can Amsterdam realize its ambition to be a city without harmful emissions by 2030 and to have a positive impact on the environment and the quality of life of its inhabitants.
