An end to France’s low emissions zones is one step closer after MPs voted in favour of a wide-ranging ‘simplification bill’.
Passing by 275 votes to 225, the text was backed by right-wing groups, including the far-right Rassemblement National.
One of several elements of the bill is a ban on the low-emission zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions, ZFEs) currently in place in 25 urban locations across France.
You can see where they are located in the map below.
ZFEs, which require all vehicles passing through to have a Crit’Air sticker showing their vehicle's pollution level and restrict certain vehicles from accessing them, have been controversial since their introduction in 2019.
Drivers who do not comply with regulations risk fines of €68 for not having the correct Crit’Air sticker, as well as additional penalties for breaking specific regulations within each zone.
However, media outlet BFMTV reports that no drivers have received a fine for their lack of Crit’Air sticker in the last 12 months, due to a lack of operational cameras (although patrolling law enforcement officers are still able to issue fines for a lack of sticker).
Motoring lobbies backed a ban on the zones, arguing that drivers with older vehicles – often with lower incomes – were being unfairly penalised.
An element of urban snobbery was also cited, arguing the rules prevented drivers of older vehicles in rural areas from accessing services in city centres.
Proponents however say the zones helped to limit emissions, improving air quality for millions across France.
During the vote, MPs also rejected a government amendment to the text that would give local authorities control over the future of ZFEs.
The amendment was seen as a last-ditch attempt by the government to wrest control over the controversial issue away from the bill, and promoted by centrist MPs as a compromise between factions wanting to ban the zones and those wanting to keep them in place.
Government MPs pointed towards zones established in cities such as London and Berlin, which had helped reduce emissions in these cities.
MPs and senators from the right-wing Les Républicains party said before the vote that the government had attempted to sway MPs in backroom deals to vote in favour of their amendment, leading to widespread anger.
"Try explaining why we need to buy €40,000 (electric) vehicles," said far-right MP Pierre Meurin during the debate.
Under the current state of the bill, all 25 existing ZFEs – in cities ranging from Paris to Pau – will be dismantled, and restrictions on vehicles entering certain areas lifted.
While the exact methods used to end the ZFEs are not yet known (complete day one end or gradual stripping back of rules, etc), the bill implies that local authorities would not be able to keep zones in place even if they wished to do so.
Cities that were set to bring in a ZFE – previous rules stated that urban areas with a population of 150,000 or more would eventually need to implement a zone – would no longer be required to do so.
Upholding the ban was an "unprecedented setback in public health," said head of the Respire association for improve air quality Karima Delli.
What next?
Senators are set to vote on the bill today (April 15), however the right-wing dominated chamber is all but certain to pass it while simultaneously rejecting the government amendment.
Once this is done, the bill will need to be analysed by France’s Constitutional Council (Conseil constitutionnel) before it is promulgated and made law.
Several political experts believe the ban ZFEs included in the bill will be thrown out, classified as a legislative rider and too disconnected from the original aspect of the bill that aims to ease administrative processes in French daily life.
The council may choose to throw out the element of the law banning ZFEs altogether, or propose a compromise similar to the government’s rejected amendment that passes control over the decision to local authorities.
