French Lawmakers Vote to Scrap Urban Low-Emission Zones in 25 Metros

Overview

• The National Assembly passed a late amendment to end low-emission zones in 25 metropolitan areas, though the change is not yet in force.
• The proposal now goes to the Senate for review and could face a ruling by the Constitutional Council, a deputy warned on Europe 1.
• If it takes effect, older high-polluting cars rated Crit’Air 3 to 5 could drive back into city centers without detours or tickets.
• Existing tickets issued under the current rules will still have to be paid, and prefects can still use Crit’Air to order short-term curbs during smog peaks.
• Air monitors credit the zones with cutting pollution by about a quarter in Lyon, while some tradespeople welcome easier access and local officials fear wasted public money and lost EU green aid.