a “Social Time Bomb”. That’s how 40 million drivers qualify for low-mobility emission zones (ZFE-m or ZFE), these urban areas with access to the least polluting vehicles. This system, which already applies to eleven French metropolises, will be implemented in all agglomerations of the country with more than 150 thousand inhabitants by the end of 2024.
ZFEs are powered by Crit’Air decals, which officially debuted in 2016. in June. The driver must fix them on the windshield – number 5, which corresponds to the most polluting cars; No. 1 least polluting.
But this restrictive measure is already causing a lot of criticism among drivers who are worried about leaving their car in the garage. Le Figaro collected their testimonies.
Pedagogy preferred to fines
Lawrence lives in Deville-les-Rouen (Seine-Maritime), a city located in the metropolitan area of Rouen. There ZFE effective September 1, 2022 applies to Crit’Air 4, 5 or unclassified vehicles. It should be noted that it is the metropolises that have the management of ZFEs. “My son visits me two or three times a week. His car and motorcycle do not meet traffic standards. How will he do it? wonders the one who suffers from disability and who no longer works. He could take the bike, but that wouldn’t really be practical in the winter». In Rouen, a choice was made not to issue a fine and to play pedagogy until March 1, 2023.
In fact, overall and according to the various motorists’ associations surveyed Le Figaro, the existing financial sanctions today are very few, or even not applied by local authorities. However, the government plans to automate these fines – €68 for light vehicles and €135 for heavy vehicles – without an increase until the second half of 2024.
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On the other hand, controls are already in place at peak pollution levels, where Crit’Air 3 vehicles may also be banned. In Paris Township, the bans apply to vehicles without stickers, Crit’Air 4 or 5. ZFE extension to Crit’Air 3 postponed until 2023.”When I don’t have a license to drive, I do anyway, I have no money», Malik, a 23-year-old engineer living in Bondi (Saint-Saint-Denis) who owns a Crit’Air 3 admits.
Is it too expensive to change the car?
“I use Waze [une application d’assistance à la navigation, NDLR] to avoid police inspections at pollution peaks. It is quite a stressful situation., he admits again. And to point out the financial costs required from the interested parties.They ask us to change cars, but at what cost? If I change, it will be at least for Crit’Air 1 car, as I fear the next bans will be for Crit’Air 2. I will need at least €20,000. It’s too expensive, even taking out the help I’m entitled to“.
It’s also the financial issue that worries Aymeric, a 50-year resident of Bordeaux, a city where ZFE still doesn’t operate. “My two sons, students, have Crit’Air 3 and 4 machines, which they bought for 2000 euros. I can’t buy them a new one. How will the little ones do?», he laments. “We will force drivers to throw away working cars to buy new ones, that is the root of the problem. The system seems deeply unfair to me», hits him who also fears seeing his Crit’Air 2 car banned in short order.
Public transport is not always convenient
For him, “Public transport cannot be the answer“. “It takes me 25 minutes to get to work from home and 1:20 by public transportation. There are certain lines at certain times where I don’t even want to take them because of the world», he throws
A problem that arises more for families with many children. Another father, who wishes to remain anonymous, lives in Lats, a commune in Montpellier (Ayrault), with his partner and five children. From January 1, 2025, Crit’Air 3, 4 and 5 vehicles will be banned there. “The transport does not adequately serve the places I need to go, especially when I need to drop off the little ones», he goes ahead. He is particularly concerned about the future ban on his Crit’Air 3 minibus. How am I going to shop? It is the same when I have to take my five children with me. I will not be able to go anywhere at the risk of being fined every time. Can you imagine this ordeal?»
Exception for collector cars
The case of 37-year-old Anthony is special. The collector of these cars lives not far from Nancy. Normally too old to circulate in the ZFE, two of his horses from 1983 have collector registration papers. This allows it to circulate in certain urban areas, depending on the agreements between the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE) and the local authorities. “Except in the case of peak pollution where these old cars will also not be able to circulate», however, FFVE notes.
“ZFE is a real threat to me. I fear a huge deposit of “car collecting” files that is not worth it [afin d’échapper à la réglementation, NDLR.], Anthony complains. For him, the flow of files to FFVE, the only organization authorized to distribute the necessary permits to obtain a gray card for a classic car, will slow down the process and “Will discredit FFVE with public authorities.” “Very low income people can upgrade their vehicles to classic cars because they cannot afford a modern car», he is afraid
According to the association, 40 million motorists have joined Le Figaro“50% of motorists will be affected by EPZ bans“. Whether they live within the agglomerations or whether they go there only occasionally.
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.