Recalling that light vehicles are responsible for approximately 14% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in European cities and about a fifth of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport in Brazil, Zero argues that the electrification of this sector is essential.

"Not only because of the need to improve urban air quality, which currently falls far short of the World Health Organization's recommendations, but also because of climate urgency," says the statement marking the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, established by the United Nations to highlight the importance of air quality for human health and the planet.

In the text, the environmental association cites several studies and data, pointing out that, in Portugal, the transition to electric vehicle fleets is gaining momentum, with the number of light electric vehicles growing significantly.

Zero states, "according to the Portuguese Automobile Association (ACAP), in the first seven months of this year, 10% of all light commercial vehicles sold were 100% electric, which contrasts with a percentage of just over 7% recorded for the entire last year."

However, although incentives for the purchase of 100% electric light commercial vehicles were first included in the 2025 State Budget, these "amounted to only three million euros, in contrast to ten million euros for light passenger vehicles," the association laments.

Zero points out that every euro invested by the public in the electrification of light commercial vehicles represents a much more efficient use of resources than in the electrification of light passenger vehicles, as these are high-use vehicles (traveling more than 50,000 kilometres per year) and travel many more kilometres than light passenger vehicles."

The association argues that "incentives for light commercial electric vehicles should increase significantly in the 2026 State Budget and also be directed towards the creation of dedicated charging areas."

"These vehicles play a central role in freight transport and urban logistics, and their electrification will bring substantial environmental and economic benefits. Zero calls on the Portuguese government to reform the incentive scheme, ensuring that it favours commercial vehicles, which have a disproportionately high environmental impact due to their frequent and intensive use," the statement reads.

In the same alert, Zero also describes how Zero Emission Zones (ZEZs), in which only active mobility and zero-emission vehicles are permitted, are gaining popularity in Europe as a solution to combat air pollution and reduce congestion.

According to the association, 35 ZEZs are already planned in the European Union and London for the 2030s, with 19 coming into effect as early as 2025. Most of these ZEZs are designed as zero-emission freight transport zones, meaning that electric vans will increasingly play a central role on city streets.

"Zero calls for the urgent creation of ZEZs in Portugal – where they currently do not exist – as a fundamental measure to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution, and encourage the growth in the adoption of electric goods transport vans," it concludes.