Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas where only the least polluting vehicles (based on their Crit'Air sticker) are allowed to circulate and park. As of July 1, 2022, LEZs have been implemented in 10 French metropolitan areas.
The ZFE-m, also previously called ZFE, replaced the restricted traffic zone (ZCR).
Here is the situation as of July 1, 2022. Download our expert guide above for details on each metropolitan area!
The list of urban areas affected by ZFE-m
Low-emission zones have been set up in 10 urban areas (as of July 1, 2022):
- The Paris metropolitan area (40 municipalities including Paris)
- the Grenoble Metropolis (27 municipalities including Grenoble)
- the Metropolis of Lyon
- Rouen-Normandy
- Reims
- Nice-Côte d’Azur
- Toulouse
- Saint-Etienne
- Strasbourg
- Montpellier-Mediterranean
New low-emission mobility zones will soon be created in the urban areas of Aix-Marseille-Provence and Toulon-Provence-M Méditerranée.
In total, 45 urban areas are affected by the deployment of an ZFE before 2025.
Conditions for traveling and parking in an ZFE-m
To drive and/or park in a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), you must have a Crit'Air sticker and be among the vehicles authorized in the relevant urban area. The air quality certificate, or Crit'Air sticker, is a colored sticker affixed to the windshield that classifies vehicles according to their pollutant emissions, age, and engine type.
The Crit'Air sticker can be ordered online via the official government website: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/
The 2022 price is €3.70 per vehicle (€3.11 + €0.59 postage).
Fleet management companies like FATEC Group can also order Crit'Air stickers for vehicle fleets.
It is possible to assess a vehicle's pollution level to determine its Crit'Air classification or sticker.
This assessment is done via the official government website: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/simulation
Vehicles authorized in ZFE-m and restriction periods
In the greater Paris area (40 municipalities including Paris)
, as of July 1, 2022, only vehicles with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, and 3 stickers are permitted to circulate and park during restricted periods.
The ban on Crit'Air 3 vehicles has been postponed and will take effect on July 1, 2023.
Grenoble metropolitan area (27 municipalities including Grenoble)
As of July 1, 2022, only Crit'Air green, 1 or 2 LCVs and Heavy Goods Vehicles are allowed to circulate and park (a ZFE for private vehicles is expected for 2023).
Lyon Metropolitan Area:
As of July 1, 2022, only light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with a Crit'Air green, 1, or 2 sticker are permitted to circulate and park.
From September 1, 2022, passenger vehicles (VPs) classified as Crit'Air 5 and above will be prohibited in the low-emission zone.
Rouen-Normandie
: As of July 1, 2022, only light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with green, 1, 2, or 3 Crit'Air stickers are permitted to circulate and park.
From September 1, 2022, all vehicles , including private vehicles with a 4, 5, or unclassified sticker, will no longer be allowed to circulate or park within the zone.
Reims:
As of July 1, 2022, only vehicles with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, 3, and 4 stickers are authorized to circulate and park.
From January 1, 2023, Crit'Air 4 vehicles will also be banned, and only vehicles with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, and 3 stickers will be allowed to circulate and park.
Nice-Côte d'Azur
: As of July 1, 2022, only heavy goods vehicles, buses, and coaches with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, 3, or 4 stickers are permitted to circulate and park.
From January 1, 2023, heavy goods vehicles, buses, and coaches with Crit'Air 4 stickers will also be prohibited. Light vehicles with Crit'Air 5 stickers will also be prohibited from this date.
Toulouse
: As of July 1, 2022, only goods vehicles, buses, and coaches with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, 3, or 4 stickers are authorized to circulate and park.
From September 1, 2022, goods vehicles, buses, and coaches with Crit'Air 4 stickers will be prohibited.
From January 1, 2023, all motorized vehicles with Crit'Air 4, 5, and unclassified stickers will be prohibited.
Saint-Etienne:
As of July 1, 2022, heavy goods vehicles and unclassified light commercial vehicles (goods transport) are no longer permitted to circulate in this zone.
Motorcycles and private vehicles are not affected by the restrictions in Saint-Etienne Métropole.
Strasbourg:
As of July 1, 2022, a transition period is in effect until January 1, 2023: only vehicles with Crit'Air green, 1, 2, 3, or 4 stickers are authorized to circulate and park.
From January 1, 2023, the transition period will prohibit Crit'Air 4 vehicles, while the first ban period will begin for Crit'Air 5 and unclassified vehicles.
Montpellier-Mediterranean:
As of July 1, 2022, motorized two- and three-wheeled vehicles, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with a Crit'Air 5 sticker are prohibited from circulating and parking.
From January 1, 2023, passenger cars (VPs) and two- and three-wheeled vehicles with a Crit'Air 5 sticker will be prohibited, as well as LCVs and HGVs with Crit'Air 5 and 4 stickers.
Based on information available as of July 1. However, exemptions are provided for certain vehicles or certain occasions.
Download our expert sheet at the top of the page to find out the next deadlines and all the details!
FATEC Group, experts in fleet management, can advise and support you in analyzing your fleet and anticipating the impact of low-emission zones (LEZs) on your fleet.
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