The French parliament definitively adopted the bill on Wednesday, April 15th, following a final vote in the Senate, confirming the controversial abolition of low-emission zones, or zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs), targeting polluting vehicles.
After a long journey and heated parliamentary debates, the bill reached the end of its legislative process, marked by an overwhelming Senate vote of 224 to 100, following its adoption by the National Assembly (275 votes to 225).
However, this may not be the end just yet.
What did low-emission zones include?
Some 25 urban areas across France, including the major cities such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Nantes have low emission zones in place. When driving through these zones motorists must display a Crit’Air sticker showing their vehicle's pollution level. Certain older, more polluting cars are banned from accessing these zones.
Initially, as part of France's 'climate and resistance law' from 2021, urban areas with more than 150,000 inhabitants were gradually required to bring in low-emission zones. The idea was that from 2023, Crit'Air 5 vehicles would be banned, then Crit'Air 4 vehicles from 2024 and eventually Crit'Air 3 vehicles from 2025.
However, in reality, local authorities have been allowed to enforce the rules by their own standards, meaning the exceptions from city to city still vary greatly.
Following pushback from the public, the French government announced in 2023 they would soften the plans. They decided instead to create two separate distinctions for urban areas based on pollution levels.
Cities that regularly exceed air quality thresholds (now called ZFE 'Territories') would have to continue to restrict highly polluting vehicles according to the original rules.
In contrast, urban areas that stay within air quality thresholds would be considered 'vigilance zones' and would not be required to enforce new restrictions, though they can do so voluntarily.
But if the zones are scrapped, older vehicles and those that pollute the most - such as those with Crit’Air 3 stickers and above - will once again be allowed to drive within the boundaries of towns and cities that had established low-emission zones. There would no longer be any risk of a fine, and drivers will not need to avoid these zones.
But it may not quite be the end of the ZFEs.
What happens now?
The bill will now undergo review by the Constitutional Council, with several parliamentary groups hoping that the abolition of the low-emission zones will be overturned.
Several French media sites suggest there is a high chance the Conseil constitutionnel will overturn the vote.
The move to scrap the zones was introduced as an amendment but news site La Depeche, believes it may be scrapped because it does not fit with the initial idea of the law which was to simplify the administration for the public. It described the vote in parliament as a "provisional victory" for those in favour of scrapping low emission zones.
Even if it is scrapped, the end of low-emission zones does not automatically mean the end of Crit’Air stickers. Introduced in 2017, this sticker was initially used to manage pollution peaks. It temporarily restricted the movement of the most polluting vehicles before being rolled out nationwide.
Prefects used it to temporarily restrict access to urban areas for the most polluting vehicles, such as those classified as Crit’Air 3 to 5, during acute episodes of air pollution. This method could therefore make a comeback. And, some towns and cities may choose to maintain local restrictions via municipal bylaws.
Do I still need a Crit'Air sticker?
For the moment, the existing rules remain in place.
That means that if you are driving in towns or cities in France - whether you are a resident or a tourist - you will need a Crit'Air sticker for your vehicle.
These must be ordered in advance and are sent out by post - full details here.
Comments (1)