What is a ZFE (Low Emission Area)?

Low Emission Zones or EPZs are urban areas designed to reduce urban air pollution. To do this, they prohibit the movement of the most polluting vehicles. ZFE work, in part, thanks to the Crit'Air sticker, which distinguishes vehicle categories based on their engine and year of entry into service.

🌍 What is EPZ?

One EPZor Low emission zone, can also be called ZCR (for restricted traffic area). It is an urban area dedicated to low pollution vehicles. EPZs were created for Reduce air pollution in cities where emissions of pollutants are particularly high, and therefore to protect residents.

Cars vary within the EPZ Crit'Air sticker... Depending on this, only the least polluting vehicles can travel in the Low Emissions Zone. French municipalities are free to set the Crit'Air required to get there, the type of vehicle and the periods of restricted traffic.

Good to know : The Crit'Air sticker is therefore mandatory for travel in the ZEZ as well as on alternate travel days. This applies to all vehicles, except for construction and agricultural machinery.

EPZs exist in several European countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, etc. In 2019, FEZs were created by 13 European countries. France started work relatively late. The first restricted traffic area was created in Paris in 2015.

Subsequently, in 2018, about fifteen French cities announced their desire to create SEZs by the end of 2020: Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice, Toulouse, Rouen, Montpellier ... These cities are behind schedule, but new SEZs have been created. decree in 2020.

2021 in Climate and Sustainability Act decided to create by December 150, 000 SEZ in all agglomerations with a population of more than 31 2024 people. This amounts to 45 SEZs.

🚗 Which cars is ZFE valid for?

In France, each metropolitan area freely sets the criteria and conditions for access to its ZFE, as well as to its perimeter. Municipalities use the Crit'Air sticker, in particular, to identify the categories of vehicles that are prohibited from entering their ZFE.

Good to know : in most cases cars with vignette 5 or unclassified are excluded from circulation in the SEZ. In the event of a peak in pollution, this entry ban may temporarily be extended to other vehicles. In inner Paris, the Crit'Air 4 category is also prohibited.

Usually, all vehicles are affected EPZ, with the notable exception of agricultural and construction equipment: trucks, cars, trucks, two-wheeled vehicles, etc. A local decree sets the scope and duration of the ZFE, vehicle categories, and any digressions.

Exceptions may, in particular, apply to vehicles for intervention, vehicles adapted for people with disabilities, antique cars, as well as some trucks.

📍 Where are the ZFEs in France?

In 2018, fifteen French cities announced the creation of the ZFE by the end of 2020. But by the end of 2021, only five megacities had effectively implemented low-emission zones:

• Grenoble-Alpes-Metropol : Applies to the city of Grenoble and municipalities such as Bresson, Champagne, Cle, Korenc, Echirolles, Sassenage, Venon, etc.
• Lyons : concerns Lyon and the Bron, Villeurbanne and Vennissier sectors located within the + Kaluir-et-Cuir ring road.
• Paris and Greater Paris : concerns both the capital itself and all the cities of Greater Paris (Anthony, Arquay, Courbevoie, Clichy, Clamart, Meudon, Montreuil, Saint-Denis, Vanves, Vincennes, etc.).
• Rouen-Normandy : Rouen itself and a number of cities such as Bihorel, Bonsecourt, Le Mesnil Esnard, Pont Flaubert, etc.
• Greater Reims : Reims and the Tattenger route.
• Toulouse-Metropolis : Toulouse, western ring road, Osh road, and part of Colomier and Turnfuil.

The remaining EPZs will gradually open between 2022 and 31 December 2024. In 2025, the Climate and Sustainability Act, passed in 2021, provides for this. 45 low emission zones opened in France. This will be the case in Strasbourg, Toulon, Marseille, Montpellier, Saint-Etienne or even Nice. The law applies to all metropolitan areas with a population of more than 150 people.

🔍 How do you know that you are in the FEZ?

In 2025, all metropolitan areas with more than 150 inhabitants will have a low emission zone. Until then, EPZs will gradually increase until they reach the targets set out in the Climate and Sustainability Act, passed in 000.

According to the law, it is necessary to signal the entry and exit from the FEZ using panel B56... This sign indicates the beginning or end of the Low Emission Zone and is complemented by a sign indicating the conditions of the ZFE: categories allowed to travel, vehicles concerned, perimeter, duration, etc.

The sign in front of the ZFE must inform of these local regulations and be sure to suggest an alternative route for vehicles excluded from the ZFE.

Good to know : driving in an EPZ where you are prohibited from driving puts you in danger fine from 68 €.

So now you know all about how low emission zones work! As you have already understood, in the coming years the number of SEZs will gradually increase. Naturally, the goal is to significantly reduce air pollution, especially in cities where this is very important.