French Government Revises Low-Emission Zone Policy to Focus on Paris and Lyon

The move comes as the National Assembly debates a modified ZFE proposal, responding to legislative rollbacks and mounting public dissent.

The government will propose a revised low-emission zone (ZFE) policy, limiting mandatory implementation to Paris and Lyon, to salvage the initiative after legislative amendments removed broader mandates.
ZFE regulations aim to combat urban air pollution and reduce emissions linked to tens of thousands of annual deaths, targeting older vehicles categorized under Crit'Air standards.
Critics argue the policy exacerbates social inequities, particularly affecting rural and low-income populations, and has fueled public backlash led by figures like Alexandre Jardin.
Eliminating ZFE mandates risks jeopardizing over €3 billion in EU funding for France, with potential repayment obligations and broader fiscal repercussions highlighted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The debate over ZFE policies intensifies ahead of the 2026 municipal elections, with accusations of disinformation campaigns and political exploitation of public anger.