automated sanctions against polluting vehicles in 2024

The first ministerial monitoring committee for low-emission zones (ZFE) announced on Tuesday 25 October the establishment of a « automated sanction control » against excessively polluting vehicles banned in the cities concerned by the system by the second half of 2024.

ZFEs already concern 11 French cities and must include 43 of at least 150,000 inhabitants by 2025. They aim to gradually ban the most polluting vehicles. So far, no sanctions have been put in place.

A fine of up to €750

Local authorities have the choice of the perimeter and possible derogations but must respect a progressive timetable for banning traffic if the air quality standards set at European level are exceeded.

From January 1, 2023, Crit’Air 5 vehicles (diesel vehicles produced before 2001) will be concerned. On January 1, 2024, it will be the turn of the Crit’Air 4 (diesel before 2006) then the Crit’Air 3 (diesel before 2011 and petrol before 2006) on January 1, 2025.

Will there be gates or cameras to carry out these automated checks? The Minister of Ecological Transition Christophe Béchu assures that the « technical characteristics of the selected projects will be presented when they are known ». Violators will face a fine “theoretically class 4”or 750 € maximum, he specified.

“Ecological” and “public health” necessity

“EPZs are a necessity for ecological and public health reasons”insisted the Minister Delegate for Transport Clément Beaune. “We must do our utmost to ensure that automated sanction control is developed as quickly as possible”he added.

To enable households to adapt, the government provides aid for the greening of vehicles. As announced by Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Motor Show, the ecological bonus for the purchase of an electric vehicle will be increased from €6,000 to €7,000 for half of the poorest French people.

“An incomparable effort”

The conversion bonus, which can go up to 5,000 euros, will be increased by 1,000 € for the inhabitants of ZFEs. Finally, the development of the zero-interest loan of up to €30,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle or leasing at €100 per month for an electric car from 2024, are also part of the aid put on the table.

“Together, all of these systems represent an incomparable effort in Europe”insisted Clément Beaune. « 1.2 billion euros will be devoted to the greening of vehicles in 2023 »he specified.