Since June 1, 2021, gasoline-powered vehicles over 24 years old and diesel-powered vehicles over 15 years old have been banned from the perimeter of the A86 freeway around Paris. However, the Metropole du Grand Paris has provided for exemptions in favor of professionals most affected by the crisis.
Improving air quality
Under pressure from European authorities, France has introduced low-emission zones (ZFE) to improve air quality, particularly in large conurbations. Local authorities can now choose to restrict or prohibit access to all or part of their territory for the most polluting vehicles, according to the criteria and period of their choice. They are also free to set exemptions to these restrictions.
ZFEs are based on Crit'Air stickers, which distinguish vehicles according to their level of pollutant emissions. The most polluting vehicles are the first to disappear from these zones.
Traffic ban for vehicles displaying a Crit'Air 4 sticker
As of June 1, 2021, vehicles with a Crit'Air 4 sticker are no longer allowed to drive during the day in the Greater Paris Metropolitan Area's ZFE. This ban applies on weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., excluding public holidays, within a perimeter located inside the A86 motorway.
This includes :
- Euro 1, 2 or 3 diesel vehicles registered before December 31, 2005,
- Petrol vehicles registered before December 31, 1996.
Motorists who fail to comply with the new rules are liable to a fine of 68 euros.
The EPZ currently covers 67 communes in the Greater Paris metropolitan area, or more than 9 out of 10 inhabitants. Some towns, such as Bobigny and Créteil, are still refusing to enforce the restrictions.
Exemptions for professionals
The metropolis has had to relax its rules to accommodate professionals hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis.
Derogations are provided, until June 30, 2022, for :
- Vehicles belonging to companies that have taken out a State Guaranteed Loan (PGE),
- The vehicles of companies that have benefited from the solidarity fund reserved for economic players impacted by the consequences of the pandemic,
- Vehicles from companies that have obtained a rebound loan from the Île-de-France region or from the Fonds Résilience Île-de-France et collectivités.
In a press release, the employers' organizations and consular chambers of the Paris Region welcomed the decision, pointing out that "economic growth and employment in the Paris Region require that companies be able to travel and park in all the areas in which they operate".