(haipo) – Israel is in the midst of a transportation revolution, a sharp jump in the number of electric vehicles, alongside an ongoing fight against air pollution from polluting vehicles. But the State Comptroller’s follow-up audit report (2026) reveals that despite the progress, the country is far from prepared. Haifa, the only city in Israel that operated a clean air zone as early as 2018, continues to bear the burden, but progress there is also stalled.
Haifa: The first city to declare a clean air zone – but the expansion has been stalled for years
Haifa was the pioneer in Israel in restricting the entry of polluting diesel vehicles. As early as 2018, trucks and polluting vehicles were banned from entering residential areas in the city. But since then, very little has changed.
The most notable data from Haifa:
- Haifa and Jerusalem are the only two cities in Israel declared a "clean air zone" And no new regions have been added since 2018 and 2020.
- The Haifa Bay Cities Association planned to expand the clean air zone to Kiryat Shmona and Nesher as early as 2021, but: "The expected entry into force... was in 2021 but it has not yet been announced in practice"
- 42,402 polluting vehicles Marked with a sticker, but can move freely throughout the country, except for Haifa and Jerusalem.
The meaning: Haifa is left almost alone in the fight against air pollution from vehicles, while the rest of the country lags behind.
Air pollution from trucks: The cost to the economy – 3.2 billion NIS
Despite a decrease of 93% in particulate emissions from heavy vehicles since 2014, trucks continue to be the main polluter:
- Only 7.2% of vehicles are trucks, but they are responsible for44% of air pollution from transportation.
- The external cost to the economy: 3.2 billion NIS per year.
- The average age of trucks has increased to9.5 years, the highest among vehicles.
In Haifa, where truck traffic to the port and industrial plants is particularly high, these figures take on a double meaning.
Electric vehicles: a sharp jump, but charging infrastructure is far from sufficient
The number of electric vehicles in Israel has jumped to224,700 vehicles by the end of 2025, an increase of almost 1,400 % Within four years. But the charging infrastructure? Far behind.
- In Israel there is only 7,907 public charging sockets, of which 1,514 fast only.
- the meaning: Only 4.9% of electric vehicles can be charged simultaneously in public spaces.
In the Haifa metropolis, where a large portion of the population lives in densely populated areas, the shortage of public charging stations is particularly noticeable.
Condominiums: No Law – No Charging
The report states that the state has not completed legislation allowing the installation of charging stations in existing condominiums. Without regulation, many residents simply cannot switch to electric vehicles, "the lack of regulation ... may create 'pirate' installations and endanger public safety."
In Haifa, where the rate of joint construction is high, this is a significant obstacle.
Battery recycling: First factory established – but no regulation
Despite the establishment of the first battery recycling plant in the south, the country still lacks a law regulating the treatment of electric vehicle batteries at the end of their life. In a decade, they will reach the end of their life. Tens of thousands of batteries And the cycle challenge will only grow.
Particulate filters: significant success – mainly due to vehicle fleet replacement
The installation of particulate filters in heavy vehicles is almost complete, and emissions have decreased by86 % Since 2014. In Haifa, these figures contribute to improving air quality, but are still not enough to cope with traffic and truck loads.
Summary: Haifa leads – the country lags behind
The State Comptroller's report presents a clear picture:
- Haifa was and remains the only city implementing a significant policy to reduce air pollution from transportation.
- The state did not expand the model to additional cities.
- Charging infrastructure, legislation, battery recycling, all are lagging behind.
- Trucks continue to pollute on a massive scale.
The meaning: Haifa is paying the price, while Israel is not yet ready for the era of clean transportation.
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