Amsterdam’s canal areas are getting greener and quieter, with a ban on diesel- and gas-powered pleasure boats in favor of quieter electric, hydrogen or human power.
The ban takes place on April 1st, following a similar ban already in effect since January 1st for commercial boats. Each ban comes with an exception: the pleasure-boat ban excludes houseboats, and the commercial ban exempts tour boats whose licenses terminate next year. Hybrid boats can also operate if they are emission-free.
“The city’s polluted air is bad for the health of Amsterdam residents,” the municipality said in a statement. It said it was working to improve air quality, and emission-free zones would contribute to this effort. It believes the ban will help to reduce not only CO2 emissions but also noise pollution.
Image by djedj from Pixabay
