The Zero-Emission City Logistics Maturity model: What do inner city SMEs know about planned zero-emission zones

This paper delves into the zero-emission city logistics readiness of businesses located in the earmarked Dutch inner cities, which are gearing up towards decreasing the emissions attributable to urban logistics activities. Emission reduction is to be achieved by rolling out mandated zero-emission zones which are to be implemented in 30-40 Dutch cities from the 1st January 2025, with the dates set and municipalities planning towards the banning of diesel-fuelled commercial vehicles. This research seeks to determine the extent of zero-emission operational maturity by use of the zero-emission maturity model by examining the four biggest cities in the southern Dutch Province of Noord Brabant. The research shows a low level of awareness among companies in the cities of Eindhoven, Breda, ’s-Hertogenbosch, and Tilburg and calls for better methods of information dissemination, especially among the small to medium businesses who don't consider city logistics as their core business.