France ramps up local air pollution restrictions

Stronger air pollution measures are to be enforced in seven areas of France in 2021, it has been announced.

The new low-emission mobility zones (ZFE-m) established in metropolitan areas where pollution levels regularly exceed air quality limits have been introduced after the government was fined €10million over air pollution standards.

The new zones, from which the most-polluting vehicles are regularly banned, are:

• Aix-Marseille-Provence;
• Montpellier-Mediterranean;
• Nice-Côte d'Azur;
• Rouen-Normandy;
• Strasbourg;
• Toulon-Provence-Mediterranean;
• Toulouse.

Zones are already in place in Lyon, Grenoble and Paris. In the capital, Crit'air badges determine whether vehicles can enter these zones. HGVs and coaches with sticker 5 or not classified are not allowed to enter the area, between 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Restrictions in Paris will be tightened in the decade ahead to achieve the goal of 100% clean vehicles by 2030 in the capital.

According to Santé publique France, air pollution is responsible for 48,000 premature deaths in France every year.