European rules are tightening in urban France as 11 urban low emission zones are planned for 2021, with an additional 35 by 2025.
The number of low emission zones in France will rise dramatically in coming years, the ministries of transport and ecological transition announced this week.
Low emission zones will be established ‘in urban area with more than 150,000 inhabitants by 2025, with 35 new areas added,’ the ministries stated. Currently, four low emission zones are already in place in Lyon, Grenoble, the centre of Paris, and the extended Paris area, with seven planned for 2021.
This news comes after appeals from the European courts and the French Conseil d’Etat to tackle national pollution levels. European norms for air quality are expected to tighten in accordance with the World Health Organisation over the next few years.
New rules will reduce permission to travel for vehicles with Crit’Air pollution rating of three, four of five, with exceptions for emergency vehicles and the disabled. Local authorities will have controls to enforce stricter rules as the local situation prescribes.
“I am not sure we will succeed in reducing emissions of pollutants sufficiently to be on track within the requested timeframe,” spoke Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili. Pompili has called for a serious effort to enffrorce rules, but clearly has realistic doubts over changing mindsets over a short time period.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin put forward the idea to install radar cameras to help enforce the new rules.
The health government agency, Santé publique France, estimates that 48,000 premature deaths are caused in France each year due to air pollution.
