The upcoming implementation of an automated penalty check against excessively polluting vehicles traveling in low emission zones (ZFE) was announced on Tuesday, October 25 by the government, according to TF1. Motorists traveling in prohibited vehicles will be contacted and penalized without having been checked by an agent. The technical details of this system have yet to be defined… The individuals concerned will receive a fine of 68 euros for light vehicles, against 135 euros for heavy vehicles.

The purpose of setting up these EPZs is to limit air pollution in places with high population density. The motivations are therefore ecological, but also relate to public health. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly 40,000 deaths each year are linked to air pollution, as reported by TF1.

EPZs have already been set up in 11 cities across France. However, no sanctions have yet been applied. In addition to the establishment of controls, the current criteria should be made progressively more restrictive. Indeed, from January 2023, diesel vehicles produced before 2001 will be banned from circulation in the EPZs. This ban will extend to pre-2006 diesel vehicles in January 2024, and those produced before 2011, as well as pre-2006 petrol vehicles in 2025.

In addition, the agglomerations concerned will also expand drastically: in 2025, nearly 44% of the French population will be affected. A total of 45 agglomerations and metropolises will be subject to these restrictions.

As a result, the government provides support for French people in their journey towards greener vehicles. Various aids for the “greening” of cars are included in the 2023 budget adopted last Wednesday. In particular, a zero-interest loan will be available for individuals affected by the establishment of EPZs transforming their old car into an electric car, according to Capital.

Here are the 45 cities that will be affected by these measures at the dawn of 2025, according to an infographic from the Ministry of Ecological Transition taken up by moto-mag.com.