France could abandon its version of ultra-low-emission zones as lawmakers debate a bill aimed at simplifying environmental regulations.
Members of the French parliament are set to vote on whether to scrap the scheme or to scale it back, with critics arguing that it unfairly punishes poorer motorists who are unable to change vehicles.
Under French laws passed in 2019 and 2021, local authorities whose urban areas exceed regulatory air-quality thresholds must set up low-emission zones (ZFE). The aim is to cut emissions of fine particles – which authorities say are responsible for 48,000 deaths a year in France – by excluding certain old or polluting vehicles.
Some 24 towns and cities, notably Paris and Lyon, as well as Grenoble and Montpellier, have introduced these to varying degrees.
Since Jan 1, no private diesel cars registered before 2011 or petrol cars registered before 2006 are allowed to drive in these four cities. Vehicles who enter such zones must carry “Crit’Air” stickers proving their low-pollution levels. Those who fail to comply risk being hit by a fine of up to €135.
All French cites with more than 150,000 residents are supposed to introduce ZFE this year.
‘Low-emission zones are economic suicide’
But a group of MPs from the National Rally and the Right – along with a few independents and MPs from Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance group – have tabled a proposal to scrap the low-emission zones altogether.
When drawing up the plan, the Left abstained, suggesting wide support. The measure will be debated in the National Assembly as part of a wider law on “simplifying economic life” in France.
If the law is passed, Le Monde, the newspaper, estimates that almost three million vehicles banned from the roads in big cities will be able to enter them once again.
Defenders of the scheme point to studies showing they significantly reduce air pollution and respiratory disease.
But many motorists and politicians have warned that rolling out such zones more widely could spark a huge public backlash, mainly from poorer motorists who are unaware of the changes or unable to pay to upgrade or change their vehicles in time.
As half of motorists coming into ZFEs live outside the towns, they do not qualify for certain aid or dispensations.
Last Sunday, demonstrations against ZFE were staged in Paris, Toulouse and other cities.
“Accepting ZFE means accepting punitive and anti-social environmental measures,” Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, said recently. Laurent Wauquiez, the head of the conservative Republicans Party in parliament, said they “lead to social anger, territorial division and economic suicide”.
In February, François Bayrou, the prime minister, said that “it is the poorest, those who cannot afford it, who live far away, who are the victims”.
The result of any vote will largely depend on turnout in France’s fractured parliament. Although there is a slim chance that all ZFE will be scrapped, it is more likely that the scheme is watered down
The government hopes to persuade MPs to keep the legislation with an amendment that would only oblige Paris and Lyon to implement the zones due to their pollution levels being twice above WHO recommendations. In other cases, it will be up to town halls to decide whether they want to go ahead with them.