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French cities actively fight against air pollution. However, you know, Thermal cars are responsible for part of this harmful pollution to human health. This is why they are logically the target of the government.
Thus, since the first day of 2025, low -emission zones (ZFE) have taken a new stage. These areas have excluded since their creation certain cars. However, the conditions are increasingly strict. Agglomerations actually want to improve air quality. But that has an impact on millions of motorists.
Larger restrictions since the start of the year
The ZFEs have existed since 2021 in municipalities with more than 150,000 inhabitants (climate and resilience law). They operate in connection with the Crit’Air sticker, that motorists must stick on their car. This sticker classifies vehicles according to their level of pollution.
This year, several large cities tighten the rules concerning ZFE. However, you can imagine, this hardening excludes even more cars in the areas. In Paris, for example, motorists behind the wheel of a Crit’Air 3 car can no longer travel from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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In Lyon and Strasbourg, it is even more penalizing. Indeed, cars can no longer circulate in the ZFEs, at no time of the day or week, day and night.
These prohibitions mainly concern diesel cars registered before 2011 and petrol models dating from before 2006. This represents 8 million Crit’Air 3 cars, Or 21 % of the national fleet.
A challenge for motorists
Motorists who drive a recent car obviously do not note any change. But for others, these restrictions are difficult to accept. They just cannot ride in the ZFEs, while the latter are even more numerous.
They have no other choice: They have to change their car. But this represents a significant financial cost that weighs the most on the most precarious households. Indeed, it is they who lead the oldest cars.
Faced with this problem, some drivers will continue to drive. They will then expose themselves to sanctions. For the moment, it is the pedagogy that prevails, especially in Paris. But from 2026, motorists will be able to receive automatic fines via the installation of systems similar to speed radars.
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How to change car at a lower cost?
Those who do not want to break the law know this. They must stop using their car and opt for public transport. If it is not possible, then you have to change your car.
For this, they can count on several options. For example, there are conversion aid plans. We think of the city of Toulouse which offers subsidies to help residents replace their vehicle with a less polluting or electric model (between 500 and 5,000 euros).
There are also specific derogations. To take advantage of it, you must respect the conditions and rules. For example, The ZFE pass allows small rollers or professionals to use a Crit’Air 3 vehicle within certain limits.
In any case, motorists must remember an important thing: the rules will continue to evolve. Over the years, they will harden. This is why we must act as quickly as possible.
