Since January 1, 2025, the State has imposed the establishment of ZFEs (Low Emission Zones) in 42 urban areas. But some have found solutions.
ZFEs (Low Emission Zones) do not apply everywhere so automatically. Normally, the Climate and Resilience law of 2021 requires towns with more than 150,000 inhabitants to implement this regulation which excludes the most polluting vehicles from circulation in large urban perimeters of city centers.
But here it is… Of the 42 towns normally concerned by ZFEs, twelve are still “dormant” according to the count of the League of Drivers verified by Le Figaro. That is to say that the law is simply not applied.
Cities have obtained an exemption
Perpignan has obtained a derogation for application on January 1, 2026, just like Amiens, although the date is not known. Inspired by their counterparts, the metropolises of Dunkirk and Béthune are awaiting an exemption of the same type.
-Cities are exempt thanks to the quality of their air
Four urban areas are exempted by the State from strict application of the 2021 law. Limoges, Orléans, Le Mans and Saint-Nazaire, can thus benefit from the decree published on December 23, 2022, which reverses this obligation on condition of demonstrating on “at least three years out of the last five” average annual concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), “less than or equal to 10 μ g/m3».
Cities exempt themselves
Other cities implement exemptions themselves. In a decree dated September 27, 2024, Dijon Métropole writes in particular about the application of the 2021 law to grant “a general exemption, for all vehicles (…) for a period of twelve (12) months”. The metropolis of Toulon also took the liberty of not applying the ZFE on January 1st considering that its air quality was “compliant with European recommendations”. In reality, the 2021 law sets precise deadlines, but no coercive framework. Metropolises can therefore be very flexible.
