ZFEs (low emission zones) are growing in several large cities in France: the principle is to ban the movement of owners of the oldest vehicles, because they are considered more polluting.

To differentiate between them, a system of Crit’air stickers was introduced, with levels 1 to 5. While the ban on vehicles with the Crit’air 3 sticker, which has been delayed many times, was due to come into effect in July 2023 in The metropolis of Greater Parisshe seems to be getting ready postpone again.

Greater Paris: Crit’air 3’s new ban delay

Here’s what Geoffroy Boulard, mayor of the 17th arrondissement of Paris and vice-president of the Métropole du Grand Paris (MGP), told AFP: “discussion between all groups” in work, IHL “The postponement will take effect in June during the Metropolitan Council”AND “Considers that the schedule is not being followed”– says Mr. Bullard.

There new term should be fixed at “end of 2024, beginning of 2025”in the words of Geoffroy Boulard: “Ban of Crit’air 3, by all accounts, will happen after the Games”.

It a new postponement for this unpopular measure, which aims to ban vehicles with a Crit’air 3 sticker from driving in Paris and its suburbs from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm. Originally scheduled for July 2022, it was pushed back to July 2023 for the first time.

Greater Paris: Elected officials split on ZFE

The Crit’air 3 ban is the third phase of restrictions at the Paris ZFE, following those on unclassified vehicles and Crit’air 5 (July 2019), followed by Crit’air 4 (June 2021). This would apply to no less than 380,000 cars In the region, “including almost one in two in certain municipalities located in Saint-Saint-Denis”– says Mr. Bullard.

This topic is a real political challenge, especially in this period of financial and social crisis, since most owners of old cars cannot afford to replace them with newer models. And in the midst of the pension reform crisis, it is not surprising to see that this type of measure is softened, even postponed.

For her part, Valerie Pecress, president of the Ile-de-France region, announced a new 18-month delay, while Anne Hidalgo, mayor of the city of Paris, asked Emmanuel Macron of “take responsibility” to fulfill the promise of the end of diesel in Paris in 2024. The rest in the next episode!