Chinese cities are currently implementing a variety of policies for sustainable freight transportation, including zero emission zones, low emission zones, access restrictions for heavy-duty vehicles and time-window restrictions for light-duty vehicles. In addition to policies for zero emission zones for freight (already in place in Shenzhen) and low emission zone policies (in place in 13 cities), freight access restrictions and permits are a highly popular measure used by Chinese cities to meet zero emission freight objectives and reduce congestion.

For instance, in Chengdu, there is no access for deliveries between 07:00 – 10:00 and between 17:00 and 21:00. Between 10:00 and 17:00 only a small number of fleet vehicles are allowed. Most deliveries take place overnight. Demand for access permits in Chinese cities is huge, with some carriers trading the permit on the market. These types of access restrictions are effective for freight vehicle electrification, and have a great potential to gradually evolve into zero emission zones in the future by exempting zero emission vehicles (also known as new energy vehicles in China) from this requirement or providing preferential access to electric vehicles through the use of special permits.