Four French urban areas will reinforce their anti-pollution system in 2025. The low emission zones (ZFE) of Greater Paris, Greater Lyon, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and Grenoble Alpes Métropole will ban Crit’Air 3 (Voitures Diesel d’) stickers before 2011 and gasoline before 2006) in circulation as of January 1.
For motorized two-wheelers, tricycles and quadricycles, the Crit’Air 3 label will apply to pre-2007 vehicles.
For light utility vehicles we find Diesel models with first registration prior to 2011.
Almost 9 million Crit’Air 3 in France
In mainland France, Crit’Air 3 vehicles represent 21% of the vehicle fleet, according to data transmitted by AAA Data, that is, almost one car in five.
Nationwide, 8.84 million cars are potentially affected. Of course, potentially, because not all of these vehicles will necessarily circulate in the affected cities.
We will then be able to observe the vehicle fleets of the different affected regions, and determine the drivers who would be most likely to travel in the EPZs in question.
The four EPZs in question are detailed below, with the particularities of each of them, such as the times when traffic is prohibited, the exact area in question or the next planned prohibitions.
Greater Paris EPZ
In the Greater Paris EPZ, Crit’Air 3 cars represent 18% of the rolling stock of Ile-de-France, that is, just over 1.12 million vehicles, according to data from AAA Data.
With the ban of Crit’Air 3 from January 1, 1.58 million vehicles or 26% of the Ile-de-France fleet will now be “banned” from circulation, also taking into account stickers 4 and 5, as well as those without a thumbnail. .
In the Greater Paris EPZ, cars, two-wheeled vehicles and utility vehicles affected by the ban cannot circulate during the week, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., except on holidays.
Only heavy vehicles with a prohibition sticker are prohibited 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The ZFE zone covers all municipalities located within the A86 (motorway to which it does not belong), but also some located beyond this axis, as can be seen on the map available online on the official website of Greater Paris.
The expected sanction is a 4th class fine (135 euros flat rate).
“In principle, no sanctions are currently applied in the metropolitan EPZ, except in Paris and during pollution alerts,” underlines the official website of Greater Paris. A way to “allow residents, businesses and communities to organize” by carrying out educational controls only.
The timetable no longer foresees future bans, but simply the goal of “100% clean vehicles by 2030”.
Greater Lyon EPZ
In the Greater Lyon EPZ, Crit’Air 3 cars represent 20% of the rolling stock of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, that is, just over 1.11 million vehicles.
With the ban of the Crit’Air 3 as of January 1, 1.66 million vehicles, that is, 31% of the Aurhalpine fleet, will now be “prohibited” from circulating, also taking into account stickers 4 and 5 , as well as those that do not have a thumbnail.
The Greater Lyon ZFE applies these prohibitions 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, both in traffic and in parking.
It covers a “central perimeter”, which includes the municipalities of Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, Villeurbanne, Bron and Vénissieux (in the sectors located within the ring road), but also the structuring urban roads: M6 and M7, the North Ring Road from Lyon (BPNL) and Laurent Bonnevay ring road.
The mobility agency of Greater Lyon offers an interactive map.
The next ban is scheduled for 2028, with the ban of Crit’Air 2, but only at the central perimeter level.
Grenoble Alpes Métropole ZFE
For the ZFE Grenoble Alpes Métropole, Crit’Air 3 cars represent 20% of the rolling stock of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, that is, just over 1.11 million vehicles.
With the ban of the Crit’Air 3 as of January 1, 1.66 million vehicles, that is, 31% of the Aurhalpine fleet, will now be “prohibited” from circulating, also taking into account stickers 4 and 5 , as well as those that do not have a thumbnail.
The ZFE is said to be “non-permanent” and is active from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday.
13 municipalities are part of this ZFE, with an interactive map available on its official website.
The next step is planned for a “horizon 2030” with the ban of Crit’Air 2 stickers.
“Metrópolis also foresees an exit from diesel between now and 2030 (ban on Crit’Air 2 vehicles, possibly diesel only), which will be the subject of a specific regulatory consultation procedure later,” specifies the ZFE website of Grenoble Alpes Métropole . .
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole ZFE
For the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole ZFE, Crit’Air 3 cars represent 22% of the fleet in the Occitanie region, that is, just over 906,000 vehicles.
With the ban on Crit’Air 3 as of January 1, there will be 1.43 million vehicles or 34% of the Occitan fleet now “banned” from circulation, also taking into account stickers 4 and 5, as well as the which do not have a thumbnail.
The restrictions apply permanently, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, specifies the official ZFE website.
The municipalities affected by the ZFE until June 30, 2026 are:
- Castelnau-le-Lez
- hutches
- Grabels
- Jacob
- juvignac
- slats
- Le Cres
- Montpellier
- coppers
- Saint-Jean-de-Védas
- Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone
Starting July 1, 2026, all 31 municipalities in the metropolis will be affected. Beyond this expansion, there are still no plans to ban the new Crit’Air sticker.
Regarding sanctions: “in case of non-compliance with traffic restrictions, the driver of a light motor vehicle who violates the infringement risks a fixed fine of 68 euros. This fine can increase up to 135 euros for the driver of a heavy vehicle, bus or coach,” says the ZFE website.
Aid was eliminated in EPZs at the time of this adjustment
If the ecological bonus was revised downwards at the beginning of December, other aid was eliminated. Some, however, turned out to be quite relevant for motorists affected by the establishment of EPZs. This is the case, in particular, of the conversion bonus, which made it possible to receive additional aid for a scrapped old vehicle.
An additional bonus of up to 3,000 euros was also granted for those who live or work in an EPZ.
Finally, if the modernization bonus is maintained, the professional union of the French automobile sector, Mobilians, regrets in a press release the abandonment of the additional bonus granted in the EPZs to thermal vehicles converted into electric vehicles, as well as the mechanism of duplication of aid granted by local authorities. “Depriving ourselves of these extremely specific measures in the ZFE zones, true levers for decarbonization in cities, constitutes a mistake at a time when, on the contrary, they should be maintained or even reinforced,” warns Mobilians, who calls for the return of these two incentives.
Source: BFM TV
