Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
On 28 January 2026, the European Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) adopted a new report on ‘City Access for Businesses Challenges and Best Practices for Urban Freight Transport’. The report addresses a growing challenge across Europe: how to ensure effective and predictable access conditions for freight operators as cities implement ambitious climate, air quality and safety measures.
Freight transport is essential to urban life. It supports retail, e-commerce, construction, maintenance services, hospitality and public services. At the same time, it contributes to congestion, emissions, noise and safety risks. The report acknowledges this dual role and explores how cities can balance environmental objectives with economic vitality.
Across Europe, cities are increasingly introducing Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs), including low- and zero-emission zones, congestion charging schemes and delivery time restrictions. These measures are key instruments under the EU Urban Mobility Framework and are central to achieving decarbonisation targets.
However, the design and implementation of access regulations directly affect logistics operators, service providers and SMEs. The report highlights the need for coherent, transparent and predictable frameworks that allow businesses to plan investments and operations with confidence.
The report structures the discussion around four main categories of challenges:
The transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) entails higher upfront investment costs and uncertainty around return on investment. Charging infrastructure availability, grid capacity and operational constraints introduce additional risks. Regulatory inconsistencies – such as vehicle weight limits that may disadvantage electric vehicles – further complicate fleet renewal decisions.
Administrative and digital requirements linked to permits and access systems also create burdens, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Operators face a fragmented landscape of access regulations across cities. Different definitions of zero-emission zones, varying time windows and inconsistent communication timelines make cross-city operations complex.
Stable, harmonised and well-communicated access frameworks are essential to provide regulatory certainty.
Efficient urban logistics depends heavily on the availability and management of loading and unloading zones. Insufficient or poorly designed curbside space can undermine operational efficiency and increase congestion.
The report also underlines the importance of adequate charging infrastructure, streamlined permitting processes and strategically located logistics hubs to enable consolidation and cleaner last-mile delivery.
Effective city access policies require coordination across local, regional and national levels. The report stresses the importance of structured dialogue with businesses, including SMEs and tradespeople, to ensure that regulations are realistic and implementable.
The findings align closely with ALICE priorities, including the integration of freight into Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), the development of Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs), and the promotion of coherent data-sharing and governance frameworks.
Ensuring that urban access regulations support decarbonisation while maintaining operational feasibility is critical for achieving resilient, efficient and sustainable urban freight systems.
As cities continue to implement access regulations under the EU Urban Mobility Framework, the EGUM report provides a timely evidence base and practical reference for policymakers and stakeholders alike.
Achieving sustainable urban mobility requires not only environmental ambition, but also predictability, coordination and structured collaboration between public authorities and the logistics ecosystem.
Download the file here: 63576196-4d7f-45dd-8383-d20efb7f6e12_en