Since Wednesday, January 1, 2025, low-emission zones (ZFE) have been extended to around forty large French cities, such as Rennes, Angers, Nantes, Tours and Caen. To travel within these areas, you will need to have applied a Crit'Air sticker which indicates the vehicle's pollution level. There are six levels of stickers: the higher the number, the more the vehicle pollutes. 100% electric or hydrogen vehicles are rated 0 while diesel cars registered between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 will be assigned level 5. The highest ratings will be gradually banned from driving in EPZs.
The city of Le Mans is not concerned but…
The city of Le Mans is, for the moment, exempt from the establishment of low-emission zones. However, can Sarthe motorists do without purchasing a Crit'Air sticker? It's not that simple. As the neighboring towns of Angers and Tours are now affected by an ZFE, it is likely that people from Sarthe will have to travel there. And contrary to popular belief, the obligation does not only apply to vehicles registered in the department concerned by the ZFE. Visitors and tourists are also subject to this rule. It is therefore better to apply the sticker on your vehicle to avoid the stress of a potential fine (a 3rd class fine or €68 fine is provided for light vehicles. It increases to €135 for heavy goods vehicles (4th class fine class)).
As of 2019, the prefect of the Pays de la Loire region recommended obtaining the Crit'Air sticker, as differentiated traffic can be triggered by the department prefect in the event of a pollution peak.
+ Why is it better to have a Crit'Air sticker even if you don't live near an ZFE?
Your opinion
Some find that the establishment of ZFEs is a good measure to combat air pollution which causes more than 40,000 deaths in France each year according to Santé Publique France. Others deplore, among other things, an increasingly restrictive access to city centers and which harms the use of shops. And you, what do you think? Are you for or against EPZs? Tell us why.
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