These three major French cities will ban diesel vehicles from before 2006 from January 1

Several French cities will ban older diesel cars from accessing their roads next week.

The reduction of automobile pollution in France revolves around the notion of Low Emission Zones (ZFE), within which vehicles are classified according to different levels known as “Crit’Air”. Crit’Air 5 vehicles are the most polluting, with those without stickers, while the Crit’Air 4 sticker corresponds to diesel cars registered between 1^er January 2001 and December 31, 2005, and two-wheelers registered between 1^er June 2000 and June 30, 2004. And they are the ones who will be banned from driving in several cities across the country.

Three French cities lead the battle

What do Greater Lyon, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, as well as Grenoble (accompanied by twelve municipalities in its metropolis) have in common? They will all three ban the 1^er January 2024 for all Crit’Air 4 vehicles to travel on their roads. These three towns represent around 2 million inhabitants.

Drivers who do not respect this new ban on driving, but also on parking, will face a fine of 68 euros. This will rise to 135 euros when it comes to heavy goods vehicles and coaches.

A big blow, but also delay

Proof that this ban did not happen without friction, the Lyon metropolis had to backtrack on its desire to ban Crit’Air 2 vehicles (diesel and gasoline registered before 2011) from June 1^er January 2026. This objective had to be postponed to two years later, on 1^er January 2028.

In Grenoble too, the objective is to pass this new ban as gently as possible. There will therefore be no fines during the first six months of the year, while the measure will apply from Monday to Friday, from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. Finally, in Strasbourg, the authorities wanted to gradually accustom residents to this change, by establishing an “educational” period throughout 2023, which therefore ends at the beginning of 2024.

Source : BFM TV