Installer Captivates Eindhoven with Its Zero-Emissions Policy

Verspeek, an installation company, is no longer accepting jobs in Eindhoven due to the city’s zero-emissions policy. The announcement of this decision on LinkedIn by the 30-person family-owned business sparked a lot of discussion and highlights a dilemma that more and more installation companies and other small and medium-sized businesses are facing.

Owner Martijn Verspeek emphasizes that he is not opposed to sustainability. Behind his decision to remove the entire municipality of Eindhoven from his business portfolio right now is the fear that, in a few years, he will no longer be able to provide service and maintenance to his customers. The center of Eindhoven will become zero-emission as of January 1, 2027, with the rest of the municipality following by 2038. Although those dates are still some time in the future, Verspeek already foresees an unworkable situation.

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His company installs heat pumps, air conditioners, and other systems that require years of maintenance and repair service. “We provide service for the products we install for twenty years. To me, service and maintenance are just as important as the installation itself,” he says. “If I can’t visit a customer in seven or ten years, I’m letting that customer down. So I’d rather be honest now.”

That’s a fundamental difference from many other businesses, he explains. “While a painter or plasterer is done once a job is finished, the installer remains responsible for maintenance, service, and troubleshooting for years to come. You can still take on jobs just fine in the coming years, but eventually you’ll have to tell those customers that you can no longer come out for a breakdown. I don’t think that’s a fair way to do business.”

Electric vehicles aren’t a solution yet

The solution—purchasing electric service vans to carry out service and maintenance in Eindhoven—seems obvious, especially since the introduction of the zero-emission zone is still quite a ways off. According to Verspeek, however, it’s not that simple. “Our company has a relatively new fleet. I don’t think it’s sustainable to replace a van that still has years of life left with an electric model.”

There are also practical concerns. “Our service technicians drive fully equipped company vehicles every day and cover a lot of kilometers, especially during cold spells. That’s precisely when the range of a fully loaded electric van drops dramatically—sometimes by as much as half.” Verspeek also sees little merit in alternatives such as smaller vehicles or cargo bikes. “A technician who’s passionate about his work wants to have his mobile workshop with him, so that a breakdown can be fixed in one go. He’s not going to drive back and forth multiple times for parts or tools.”

City residents will pay more

Verspeek’s dilemma is not an isolated one, as evidenced by the nationwide support the news has received. In conversations with fellow installers and other specialized companies, he hears the same concerns. Many companies outside urban areas are reportedly considering reducing their service areas as emission zones continue to expand.

“It affects not only installers, but also painters, landscapers, plasterers, and other businesses that use company vehicles on a daily basis.” According to Verspeek, the potential consequence of such a withdrawal of specialized contractors could hit city residents in their wallets. “City residents will have fewer options and will end up paying higher rates. Someone will always step in to fill the gap, but because of their stronger market position, those companies will be able to charge higher rates.”

Municipality’s response: Businesses will receive time and support

The City of Eindhoven does not recognize the picture painted. In a written response, it states that the expansion of the zero-emission zone is part of its ambition to eventually become an emission-free city. “The policy has been carefully developed over the past few years in close collaboration with industry organizations. As part of this, comprehensive transition arrangements, exemption options, and support measures have been put in place to give businesses sufficient time and flexibility to make the transition.”

“This means that business owners with existing Euro 6 delivery vehicles may continue to use them within the zero-emission zone until 2029,” the municipality writes. “Business owners who encounter specific obstacles, such as the lack of a suitable zero-emission alternative, business-related circumstances, or grid congestion, can apply for an exemption through the RDW’s national service desk.” Finally, the municipality of Eindhoven emphasizes that it does not recognize the notion that businesses will consequently scale back their operations in Eindhoven on a large scale.

Business owners must make their own decisions

Despite his criticism of the policy’s practical feasibility, Verspeek isn’t looking for a confrontation. On the contrary, he explains. “I understand the municipality’s sustainability goals and believe that governments should do what they deem necessary. My main point is that business owners need to make their own decisions. For Verspeek and his installation company, that decision is clear, at any rate. “I’d rather disappoint a potential customer now than have to tell an existing customer in ten years that we can no longer come out for maintenance or to fix a breakdown.”

Ironically, installation companies like Verspeek are actually on the front lines of the energy transition. The question, then, is not whether cities will become more sustainable, but what consequences those choices will have for the entrepreneurs who are desperately needed to make homes and buildings more sustainable. As a result, the discussion about zero-emission zones is slowly shifting from mobility to a broader issue: how do you keep skilled professionals accessible and affordable in the city?

See also: How to ride your bike to a customer’s location with all your tools and equipment