France Implements Stricter Emission Rules, Banning Older Vehicles in Major Cities

New regulations targeting Crit'Air 3 vehicles restrict access to urban areas, prompting financial and logistical challenges for many residents.

As of January 1, 2025, vehicles classified as Crit'Air 3 are banned from circulating in designated low-emission zones (ZFE) in cities like Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, and Grenoble on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Crit'Air 3 vehicles include diesel cars registered before 2011 and gasoline cars registered before 2006, affecting tens of thousands of drivers across metropolitan areas.
Many residents, particularly those in lower-income communities, express frustration, citing the high cost of replacing their vehicles and limited access to public transportation during off-peak hours.
Temporary exemptions are available for specific groups, such as shift workers and occasional drivers, but full enforcement with automated controls is not expected until 2026.
The regulations are part of broader efforts to combat air pollution, though critics argue the measures disproportionately burden economically vulnerable populations.