What is an EPZ and why is it being introduced?
A Low Emission Mobility Zone (LEMZ) is an area of France where geographical area where access is restricted to polluting vehicles in order toimproving air quality. These restrictions are based on the Crit'Air stickers (or air quality certificates), which classify vehicles according to their emissions levels.
💡Did you know ? To date, there are more than 230 EPZs in 13 European countries, some of which have existed for more than 20 years.
As previously stated, the ZFE-m, adopted as part of the LOM (2019) and Climat et Résilience (2021) laws, aim to reduce the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment.
To find out more : Low Emission Zone (LEZ), the impact on you
In France, the Air pollution is responsible for more than 40,000 premature deaths every year.representing 9% of national mortality and a loss of life expectancy at age 30. It should be noted that 7,000 of these 40,000 deaths are directly linked to nitrogen oxides. Visit fine particles emitted by transportparticularly in major cities, are particularly harmful to vulnerable populationssuch as children and the elderly.
But that's not all: the EPZs also make it possible to respond to the following needs european requirements in terms of air quality, thus avoiding the need for financial penalties for non-compliance with standards.
In short, the EPZs are a key tool for promoting more sustainable mobility while protecting people's health and the environment.
New restrictions from 1 January 2025
At the 3rd ministerial committee meeting on air quality, held on 19 March 2024, the French Minister for Ecological Transition highlighted the continuing progress being made on air quality in France's major conurbations, as well as the associated impacts on EPZs, whether already in place or under development.
Changes in traffic restrictions
From 1st January 2025As of 1 January 2009, all conurbations with more than 150,000 inhabitants exceeding the air quality thresholds set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will have to set up an EPZ. 42 conurbations in France.
From this date, following the ban on Crit'Air 4, 5 and non-classified vehicles, theaccess to the EPZs in these 3 towns will be forbidden to vehicles with a Crit'air 3 sticker. From now on, 40 conurbations are now classified as "areas requiring special attention"..
In practical terms, this means :
- the diesel vehicles registered before 2011,
- and petrol vehicles registered before 2006.
It should be noted that vehicles with a Crit'air 3 sticker, representing around 14.3 million unitsor 41 % of the national car fleet. This measure will affect almost half of all vehicles on the road in France.
It should be noted that several types of exemptions may be proposed, such as :
- La small rider" exemption
- allowing a vehicle banned fromaccess to the EPZ for 52 days a year.
- La exemption for holders of an inclusion mobility card
- people with disabilities are exempt from the EPZ rules.
It should be noted thatThere are also other exceptions for professionals. In addition, to facilitate the application of these regulations, the Metropole has set up exemptions for individuals facing extended delivery times for their clean vehicle or those who use their car occasionally.
But that's not all: from new radars dedicated to EPZs will be deployed shortly. Equipped with a number plate reading systemThese radars will make it possible to automatic control of vehicles authorised to travel and, consequently, dto impose large-scale sanctions on offenders.
However, it is important to stress that theapproval for these radars has not yet been granted. Their deployment in low-emission zones (LEZs) is therefore planned for a later date, probably after 2027. In the meantime, some major cities, such as Paris, have already scheduled the installation of EPZ speed cameras, which are expected to be in place by the end of 2010. mid-2025.
New areas concerned
From that fateful date, the metropolises of Paris and Lyon will tighten traffic restrictions for older vehicles within their EPZs.
In the Greater Paris metropolitan area, the vehicles that do not meet the EPZ criteria will not be allowed to circulate from Monday to Fridaybetween 8am and 8pm, excluding weekends and public holidays.
On the other hand, in the Greater Lyonthe restriction is stricter, as the vehicles that do not comply with the requirements of the EPZ will be permanently banned from circulation24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It should be noted that the constraints associated with the EPZs have now been relaxed for conurbations where the regulatory air quality thresholds are no longer regularly exceeded, i.e. :
- Rouen,
- Marseille,
- and Strasbourg.
In other words, these towns are not no longer obliged to follow the legal timetable imposing traffic restrictions on vehicles classified as Crit air 3.
Nonetheless, Strasbourg could keep to the planned timetable, although its positive results would allow it to extend the deadline to 1 January 2027. In fact, a public consultation is underwayThis is an opportunity for residents of the city to share their views on the subject.
If necessary, the Alsatian city will ban Crit'Air 3 vehicles permanently, following the example of Greater Lyon.
It should be noted that conurbations complying with regulatory air quality thresholdsbut with pollution levels higher than WHO recommendationsare considered to be areas to watch out for.
By 1 January 2025, the conurbations in question without active EPZs will be required to comply with the Directive, limit traffic :
- from cars registered before 31 December 1996,
- from light commercial vehicles registered before 30 September 1997,
- and HGVs registered before 30 September 2001 (unclassified vehicles).
Here is a summary table of all the conurbations in question, available on service-public.fr :
| ZFE en vigueur | ZFE À VENIR |
|---|---|
|
Rouen
|
Dunkerque
|
|
Paris and the Greater Paris region
|
Lille
|
|
Reims
|
Béthune
|
|
Strasbourg
|
Douai-Lens
|
|
Lyon
|
Valenciennes
|
|
Grenoble
|
Amiens
|
|
Saint Etienne
|
Metz
|
|
Nice
|
Nancy
|
|
Aix-Marseille
|
Mulhouse
|
|
Clermont-Ferrand
|
Dijon
|
|
Montpellier
|
Annemasse
|
|
Toulouse
|
Annecy
|
|
|
Chambéry
|
|
|
Toulon
|
|
|
Avignon
|
|
|
Nîmes
|
|
|
Perpignan
|
|
|
Pau
|
|
|
Bayonne
|
|
|
Bordeaux
|
|
|
Limoges
|
|
|
Orléans
|
|
|
Towers
|
|
|
Angers
|
|
|
Nantes
|
|
|
Le Mans
|
|
|
Brest
|
|
|
Rennes
|
|
|
Caen
|
|
|
Le Havre
|
What assistance is available to help you switch from internal combustion to electric vehicles?
Adopt a electric vehicle is a transition essential to meet EPZ requirements. However, this approach can represent a significant cost for individuals and businesses. Fortunately, a number of financial aid schemes are available to support this transition and make electromobility more accessible. It is important that a number of grants for the purchase of charging stations.
Here is an overview of the schemes available:
The ecological bonus
The ecological bonus remains a essential aid for the purchase of a clean vehicle. It can cost several thousand euros, depending on the type of vehicle.
The ecological bonus is a assistance granted for the purchase or leasing of a new electric vehicleaimed at reducing the cost of ownership and encouraging the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. Its amount is €4,000 and can reach up to €7,000 for individuals the least well-off reference tax income per unit less than or equal to €15,400.
Worth noting : Professionals no longer have access to this government aid.
Although potentially reduced by 2025This bonus is available on a means-tested basis to maximise its impact on low-income households.
To find out more : Ecological bonus 2024: changes to come
The adjustments made in 2025 are governed by decree no. 2024-1314 of 29 November 2024, published in the Journal officiel, which can be consulted at here.
The conversion premium
For drivers wishing to replace an old polluting vehicle, the conversion premium offers significant financial support.
If you are replacing a thermal vehicle If you've replaced your old car with an electric model, you'll be eligible for this allowance. However, this aid is likely to disappear at the beginning of 2025, so don't wait any longer!
Depending on your income, this aid can up to €5,000 for an electric or hydrogen vehiclewhether new or used.
💡Did you know ? A A €1,000 bonus is also granted to beneficiaries living or working in an EPZ.. Furthermore, if a local community located in an EPZ grants additional aid, this additional premium is increased by the same amount, up to a total limit of €2,000, making it possible toobtain up to €3,000 !
Worth noting : This aid can be combined with the ecological bonus, making the transition financially advantageous.
Retrofitting
Le automotive retrofitwhich consists of replace a vehicle's internal combustion engine with an electric or hybrid engineis encouraged by a government bonus to promote less polluting transport. This transformation offers an economical and ecological alternative, particularly for escaping the restrictions of the EPZs.
Worth noting The bonus is available to individuals and companies domiciled in France, subject to income and type of vehicle.
The premiums vary according to tax income and type of retrofit (electric or rechargeable hybrid), ranging from up to €5,000 for low-income households.
Specific local aid
Visit Île-de-Franceseveral financial aid encourageadoption of electric vehicles or retrofitting of internal combustion vehiclesas part of a drive to reduce pollution.
The region offers grants for :
- to individuals,
- small businesses
- and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
The main conditions include a price ceiling of €47,000 inc. for electric vehicles and criteria of origin or energy efficiency.
The aid varies according to beneficiaries' incomeranging from 2,250 to €9,000 for individuals and up to 15,000 for small craft businesses. They can be combined with other national schemes, up to a limit of 50 % of the total price.
What's more, the Grand Paris also offers "Métropole Roule Propre" assistanceup to 6 000 €The aim is to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, subject to eligibility for the conversion premium.
But that's not all: in the regions Occitaniathe "Eco-Mobility Cheque" grants up to €2,000 depending on income and applies to new or used electric vehicles.
It should be noted that Drancy offers a local aid of €1,500 for a new electric vehicle.
Finally, the Arve Valley in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes supports the purchase of alternative energy vehicles, with amounts up to €5,000.
Each programme imposes specific procedures, often onlineThe application must be accompanied by proof of identity and tax assessment.
For further information : All regional aid for electric cars
Conclusion
As the new rules on EPZs come into force in 2025, it's vital to start preparing now. The first step is to check your vehicle's Crit'Air classification to find out if you are affected by the driving bans. If your vehicle is classified Crit'Air 3 or above, it may be time to consider replacing it with an electric modelto avoid being restricted when you're on the move.
Alternative solutions should also be considered, such as public transportthe carpoolingor even electric vehicle rental for occasional journeys can be a good idea.
In this context, whether you are an individual or a professional, Beev helps you to adopt a more sustainable form of mobility by offering you leased electric vehicles, as well as solutions tailored to your recharging needs. With Beev, you can reduce your carbon footprint while complying with EPZ requirements.
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