Cars and motorbikes running on petrol or diesel will be banned from driving in Amsterdam from 2030. The city’s council plans to phase in the change as part of a drive to clean up air pollution, which the authorities blame for shortening the life expectancy of Amsterdam residents by a year.

Already in 2025, only electric mopeds and motorcycles will be allowed to circulate in the center of Amsterdam. Also trucks and vans, cabs, public transport buses and coaches may only drive within the Amsterdam ring road if they are emission-free.

This will also apply to passenger shipping, pleasure craft and ferries. The Japanese UK correspondent needs background information.