Anyone traveling by car to or through a French city this summer will still need a ‘Crit’Air’ environmental sticker. The French Constitutional Council has pushed back on the planned abolition of low-emission zones (ZFEs). As a result, the rules will continue to apply for the time being in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.
Journalist at HLN
Source: AFP
Last month, the French parliament voted in favor of the abolition of low-emission zones, ‘zones à faibles émissions’ (ZFEs) in French. The right and the far right in particular wanted to put an end to the environmental measure, which they believe is socially unfair for families who cannot afford a new car.
But the French Constitutional Council has now annulled that decision. Not because the judges ruled against the abolition itself, but because, according to them, the measure was legally insufficiently related to the original “simplification law” in which it was included.
In concrete terms, this means that the low-emission zones will continue to exist for the time being and that motorists will therefore still need a Crit’Air vignette to enter certain French cities.
Sticker remains mandatory
The environmental sticker remains mandatory in several French cities and regions. In Paris, the rule applies within the entire ring around the A86. Restrictions for older diesel and petrol cars also remain in place in cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Montpellier and Lille.
The Crit’Air sticker indicates how polluting a vehicle is. Electric cars are assigned category 0, older diesel cars end up in the most polluting categories. Depending on the city and air quality, certain vehicles may be temporarily or permanently banned.
Belgian motorists also still risk fines if they enter a low-emission zone without a sticker. France works together with other European countries to check license plates across borders.
A lot of criticism of the system
The low-emission zones have been under fire in France for years. Opponents believe that the rules mainly affect people with a lower income, because they are less likely to be able to buy an electric or hybrid car.
On the other hand, environmental organizations point out that air pollution causes tens of thousands of deaths in France every year. According to government agency Santé Publique France, around 40,000 people die every year from the effects of poor air quality.
Environmental association Respire reacted with relief to the Constitutional Council’s decision and spoke of “a victory for public health”.
Discussion not over yet
The political discussion about low-emission zones is not over yet. The French parliament can later try again to abolish the measure through a legally correct bill.
However, nothing will change for travelers for the time being: anyone traveling to France by car this summer should check whether they have a valid Crit’Air vignette.
