The Nantes metropolis is preparing to set up its Low Emissions Zone, joining other large French cities such as Aix-Marseille, Rouen, Nice, Toulouse, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Reims and Saint-Étienne. This decision is part of a national approach aimed at reducing emissions of fine particles, responsible for numerous health problems.
The perimeter of the Nantes ZFE will extend to the limits of the ring road. Motorists will now have to display a Crit’Air sticker to travel in this area. This measure will mainly concern the oldest vehicles, considered to be the most polluting.
Vehicles concerned and exemptions
The establishment of the ZFE in Nantes involves a traffic ban for certain vehicles. Here is a summary table of the vehicles concerned:
| Vehicle type | Date of release |
|---|---|
| Motorized two-wheelers | Before June 1, 2000 |
| Cars | Before January 1, 1997 |
| Utilities | Before October 1, 1997 |
| Heavy goods vehicles | Before October 1, 2001 |
Let us specify that exemptions will be granted to certain vehicles, in particular:
- Vehicles of general interest
- Ministry of Defense vehicles
- Vehicles for disabled people with the mobility inclusion card with parking mention
- Temporarily, public transport vehicles
For motorists whose vehicles are affected by the ban, park and ride facilities will be accessible around the ZFE, similarly allowing parking and using public transport to access the city center.
Impact and schedules of the Nantes ZFE
The Nantes ZFE will be active Monday to Friday, excluding public holidaysduring peak hours. The restrictions will apply from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the morning and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the afternoon. It is important to emphasize that the ban only concerns vehicles in circulation. Parking inside the perimeter will remain authorized for all vehicles.
According to Nantes Métropole, this measure will affect less than 4,000 vehiclesor less than 1% of the local vehicle fleet. Although the impact appears limited, this decision raises questions about the accessibility of large cities for certain motorists, particularly poorer households who cannot afford to replace their vehicle with a more recent, less polluting model.
Towards an improvement in air quality
The main objective of EPZs is to reduce air pollution in densely populated urban areas. In France, air pollution is responsible for the premature deaths of 48,000 people each year. Fine particles, capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory tract, are the cause of many health problems such as asthma, bronchitis and cardiovascular diseases.
The results observed in other cities that have implemented ZFEs are encouraging. We observe a reduction of 12% to 15% in concentrations of fine particles in the air over these areas. This significant improvement in air quality should have positive repercussions on the health of residents of the Nantes metropolis.
On the other hand, it is essential to note that these restrictions can cause difficulties for certain citizens. New traffic bans in several French cities raise questions about social equity and the accessibility of urban centers. Like Paris, where traffic is already severely restricted, Nantes will have to find a balance between improving air quality and maintaining mobility for all its residents.
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