Low emission zones (ZFE) are multiplying in France, aiming to respond to a major environmental emergency: the reduction of air pollution. Deployed in large metropolises such as Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, these zones restrict the circulation of the most polluting vehicles according to their Crit'Air sticker. These initiatives are supported by studies showing the harmful effects of fine particles and nitrogen oxides on health.
However, the application of EPZs raises many questions. Automated controls, announced for 2024, will mark a major turning point. Currently, some cities are still struggling to rigorously implement these measures, leaving room for vague areas in their implementation.
The first feedback from cities having established an ZFE is mixed. Although improvements in air quality are perceptible, the effects are still limited by the lack of strict control and by sometimes numerous exemptions. Do EPZs really succeed in changing behavior or do they only affect a limited part of the population? The debate remains open.
The Crit'Air sticker: keystone of ZFEs or constraint for users?
Essential for traveling in ZFEs, the Crit'Air sticker has become the gateway to French drivers. This system, classifying vehicles into six categories from 0 to 5 according to their level of pollution, applies to private cars as well as two-wheelers and heavy goods vehicles.
However, many motorists encounter administrative difficulties: delays in receiving the sticker, errors in classifications or lack of knowledge of the steps to take. According to recent data, several million vehicles have not yet obtained their sticker, which could pose a problem when controls intensify.
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There is no shortage of criticism of the Crit'Air system. Some users denounce discrimination against old vehicles, often used by low-income households. Indeed, the impossibility of traveling in these areas can quickly become a headache for workers and families with no alternative.
Faced with these challenges, solutions are being considered, such as conversion bonuses to replace polluting vehicles or aid for the purchase of bicycles and public transport subscriptions. But will this be enough to ease the growing tensions around EPZs?
The social and economic impacts of EPZs: a divide between users?
If the environmental objective of EPZs is undeniable, their social and economic impacts reveal a growing divide between different categories of users. The poorest households, often forced to keep old vehicles, find themselves among the first affected by these restrictions. For them, investing in a less polluting car or opting for other modes of transport represents an unsustainable cost.
Businesses, particularly SMEs and craftsmenare also facing significant challenges. Renewing a vehicle fleet or adapting to delivery constraints in EPZs represents an investment that is sometimes difficult to amortize. Professional federations are calling for reinforced support measures, particularly for peripheral rural areas where transport alternatives are rare.
Faced with these inequalities, exemption mechanisms have been established: professional vehicles, certain medical journeys or even exceptional cases benefit from additional delays. However, these systems struggle to respond to the scale of the problem, leaving a feeling of injustice hanging over the EPZs.
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Towards a generalization of EPZs: what are the prospects for 2024 and beyond?
The year 2024 marks a decisive step for EPZs with the intensification of controls and the planned extension to new towns. These developments, while aiming to strengthen the efficiency of low-emission zones, also risk accentuating tensions. In particular, the tightening of Crit'Air criteria will gradually exclude a growing number of vehicles from urban traffic.
Debates surrounding the real effectiveness of EPZs are increasing. Some experts argue that these zones have a direct effect on reducing fine particles, while others call for broader thinking about all sources of pollution. The absence of effective and accessible alternative solutions complicates the hoped-for ecological transition.
Among the avenues considered for a more equitable compromise, we find:
- Free or extended public transport, particularly for peri-urban areas.
- The acceleration of aid for vehicle conversion, to include more eligible households.
- The development of very low emission zones (ZTFE), reserved only for electric or hydrogen vehicles.
The future of EPZs therefore rests on a delicate balance: responding to an environmental emergency without widening social inequalities. This transition, although essential, will require concerted mobilization between public authorities, businesses and citizens.
