ZFE: Schedule postponed in Paris, starting in Toulouse

The latest ZFE news is racing with the postponement of the Greater Paris plan, while Toulouse will inaugurate its own in 2022.

Under the still little-known acronym ZFE, Low Emission Zones aim to improve air quality in major cities. To achieve this, they progressively ban the movement of certain vehicles based on Crit’Air stickers. However, in France, decisions vary from one city to another.

Crit’Air 3 banned in Greater Paris in 2023

In Greater Paris, the ZFE is one of the most ambitious in the country. However, while the schedule for the Île-de-France metropolis was clear, it was updated on February 1st. Ultimately, “limiting the circulation of the most polluting vehicles to Crit’Air 3 within the A86 motorway“, scheduled for July 2022, “will not happen before early 2023”.

Crit’Air 5 vehicles were banned from July 1, 2019, then Crit’Air 4 vehicles from June 1, 2021. The bans are not total, as they only apply on weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (every day for heavy trucks).

Why this reversal? The official statement gives two technical reasons:

• “To be recognized as an experimental territory for implementing a zero-interest loan (PTZ) to reduce the remaining amount payable for the most modest households”. (administrative formality)
• “To benefit from the implementation of automated sanction control (CSA)”. (radar validation)

Will diesel still be banned in 2024?

For now, Greater Paris has not decided on the next steps. On their official site, they still plan to ban Crit’Air 2 vehicles in 2024 (including all diesels), followed by Crit’Air 1 in 2030 (all internal combustion and hybrid vehicles). Paris itself also has no plans to ban cars.

Despite this delay for the Greater Paris ZFE, vehicle purchase incentives for clean vehicles continue, recalls the official statement. Up to 6,000 euros, depending on income and the scrapping of an old vehicle, can be combined with national aid (eco-bonus and the conversion premium). For an electric two- or three-wheeler, the Metropolitan Authority offers up to 1,400 euros, and 500 euros for an electric bike.

Toulouse Implements ZFE in 2022

While waiting for Paris, Toulouse will finally launch its ZFE. It will be effective from March 1st, but only concerns utility vehicles and heavy trucks with Crit’Air 5 or unclassified stickers. The zone covers the inside of the ring road, encompassing Toulouse’s entire area, partially including Coulommiers and Tournefeuille.

The Pink City will then accelerate restrictions at a steady pace. Utility vehicles and heavy trucks with Crit’Air 4 stickers will be affected starting September 1, 2022, followed by cars with Crit’Air 4 and 5 stickers and others from January 1, 2023. Toulouse will include Crit’Air 3 from January 1, 2024, but has not announced subsequent phases.

Also read: Automobile: Europeans ready to pay more to pollute less