Bad times for EPZ. While the government wants it to proliferate across France over the next few years, that could be compromised. By the way, the Climate Law provides that by 2025, all cities with a population of more than 150,000 people will become low-emission zones. This is an ambitious goal, but it is not related to the reality of motorists. Because while the majority know about EPZs and how they work, the minority do ready to change the car to be able to continue circulating in these areas.

WARNING! Since 2015 and the appearance of Crit’Air vignettes, traffic restrictions apply to certain vehicles in large cities. Shall we summarize together? 🚙 #MyMoreResponsibleProject

– Postal Bank (@LaBanquePostale) August 30, 2022

An elected official protests

In addition, more and more elected officials are beginning to protest the development of ZEPs everywhere. Some have already spoken out against what they call ” social bombs“. Indeed, this measure, aimed at the oldest cars, which are considered more polluting, will suffer from particularly modest ones. Unbearable situation for Manuel Bompard, Member of Parliament for the 4th district of Bouches-du-Rhône. The latter spoke on this topic in France Info and is not ashamed of this measure. He asks to simply cancel it.

Before cancellation?

He explains that ” I was elected from an arrondissement often called the poorest in France, even in Europe, the 3rd Marseille. This area is included in the zone with a low level of emissions. Everyone knows that people who live in this area and in other cities in France do not have the means to have a car that meets criteria for this low emission zone“. He notes that ” I am not hostile to work in reduce traffic in cities but certainly not telling people who have no other choice that they can no longer use their car and must fend for themselves“.