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In 2025, more than 40% of the French automobile fleet will be banned in several large cities. Cars equipped with the Crit'Air 3 sticker will no longer be able to circulate in several Low Emission Zones (ZFE).
If your vehicle is part of the lot, several solutions are available to you to adapt to these regulations. Let’s explore these options together.
More than 14 million cars affected
From January 1, 2025Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Grenoble and Montpellier will strengthen traffic restrictions in their ZFEs. These new measures will prohibit access to vehicles with a Crit'Air 3 sticker.
This class brings together gasoline cars from EURO 2 and 3 standards. Please note that these vehicles were registered between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2005. Likewise, diesel cars conforming to the EURO 4 standard, registered between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010, are not exempt from this prohibition.
To have
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As a reminder, the Crit'Air sticker classifies vehicles according to their polluting emissionsin particular fine particles and nitrogen oxides. There are six categories of Crit'Air stickers, ranked from 0 to 5. The higher the number of the sticker, the more pollutants the vehicle emits.
In 2025, the new restrictions imposed by these major cities will particularly affect Crit'Air 3 cars. The objective? Reduce urban pollution and encourage a transition to more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
However, these Crit'Air 3 cars represent no less than 14.3 million vehicles, or 41% of the French automobile fleet. For many concerned, several options are available to you.
Faced with these restrictions, several possible solutions
Some motorists wish to continue driving in a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) despite the restrictions. This option remains strictly discouraged, as it exposes you to significant sanctions. Drivers risk a fine of €68but it can reach €450 depending on the case.
Therefore, it would be preferable to turn to more advantageous and environmentally friendly alternatives. Public transport and shared mobility solutions are excellent examples of alternatives to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
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If you are looking for a lasting solution, sell your current vehicle for invest in a less polluting model would be more judicious. You can choose between selling or transferring your car to a loved one or a third party, but on one condition: they must live in an area not affected by traffic restrictions.
Once your vehicle is sold, it should be replace with a Crit'Air 2 car at least. This category includes gasoline cars conforming to the EURO 4 standard and diesel cars conforming to the EURO 5 and 6 standards.
For long-term peace of mind, choose a Crit'Air 1 or 0 vehicle. The Crit'Air 1 sticker includes gasoline cars complying with the EURO 5 and 6 standard. But also gas and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The Crit'Air 0 sticker includes all 100% electric or hydrogen cars. The latter are not subject to any restrictions in the EPZs to date.
Furthermore, the State offers assistance for automobile conversion to support owners in this ecological transition. These devices can facilitate the purchase of a less polluting vehicle while contributing to the preservation of the environment.
