Driving in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

A low-emission zone (ZFE) is a perimeter in which the circulation of the most polluting vehicles is limited or prohibited. This is a mandatory national scheme created by the Loi d'Orientation des Mobilités (LOM) in 2019. Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole's ZFE came into force on July 1, 2022.

The ZFE in brief:

• Individuals: only pre-1997 petrol cars (1st registration up to December 31, 1996) and pre-2006 diesel cars (1st registration up to December 31, 2005) are concerned by the 2024 traffic ban.
• All vehicles must display a Crit'Air sticker. Its price is €3.11 + €0.61 postage (i.e. €3.72 per vehicle).

It is urgent to implement measures limiting air pollution. The figures bear this out.

Some figures

• 40,000 deaths: that's the number attributable each year to exposure to fine particles. (Source: santé publique France, rapport et synthèse Impact de la pollution de l'air ambiant sur la mortalité en France métropolitaine).
• 180 million euros: that's the direct and indirect cost of pollution for the city of Montpellier. (Source: Health costs of air pollution in European cities and the linkage with transport - European Public Health Alliance).

The ZFE is aimed at both professionals and private individuals. All motor vehicles are affected: cars, vans, buses, trucks and heavy goods vehicles.

In France, 35 conurbations are impacted. Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon and Grenoble have launched their ZFEs. Each local authority determines the conditions of implementation according to its own specificities.

Perimeter concerned in the Metropole

Phase 1 from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026:

• Castelnau-le-Lez
• Clapiers
• Grabels
• Jacou
• Juvignac
• Lattes
• Le Crès
• Montpellier
• Pérols
• Saint-Jean-de-Védas
• Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

Phase 2 from July 1, 2026: all communes in the metropolis.

Phased deployment from 2022 to 2026:

In the metropolis, the EPZ has been effective since July 1, 2022. Traffic restrictions will be progressive. They are applicable 24/7.

Individuals: only pre-1997 petrol cars (1st registration up to December 31, 1996) and pre-2006 diesel cars (1st registration up to December 31, 2005) are affected by the driving ban in 2024.

In the event of failure to comply with the driving restrictions, the driver of an offending light motorized vehicle risks a lump-sum fine of €68. This fine can rise to 135€ for the driver of a heavy goods vehicle, bus or coach.

The implementation of the ZFE is progressive. It does not require the purchase of an electric vehicle.

The choice of electric

Several studies show that electric cars are already more cost-effective than combustion-powered models, including for used vehicles. This is highlighted by the June 2021 UFC Que Choisir. The study is based on the calculation of the total cost of vehicle ownership (= all costs borne by the user, i.e. the difference between purchase price and resale price, energy, insurance, maintenance...).

The choice of a used Crit'Air 1 or 2 petrol combustion vehicle

A Crit'Air 1 petrol car (registered from 2011) will still be able to drive in the ZFE after 2028. This will also apply to a Crit'Air 2 petrol car (registered from 2006) subject to national and local regulatory changes.

Note that it is possible to benefit, subject to certain criteria, from the State's "conversion bonus" including for used petrol vehicles, e.g. certain used vehicles from 2012 to 2015.

Vehicle change simulator

The French government has set up a vehicle change simulator called "Je change ma voiture pour une mobilité plus propre et plus économe" ("I'm changing my car for cleaner, more economical mobility"). It will tell you what type of vehicle is interesting according to your profile, as well as the aid available.

How can I find out which Crit'Air sticker my vehicle has?

To find out which Crit'Air sticker corresponds to my vehicle, I consult my vehicle registration document (see table above).

Vehicles are differentiated according to their level of atmospheric pollutant emissions via the Crit'Air sticker system. There are six such stickers, ranging from 5 to 1, plus the Crit'Air sticker reserved for 100% electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. The higher the certificate number, the more pollutants the vehicle emits.

How do I get my Crit'Air sticker?

The compulsory Crit'Air sticker can only be ordered online from the official website: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr

The price is €3.11 + €0.61 postage (i.e. €3.72 per vehicle).

Only the official website of the Ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire is authorized to issue Crit'Air stickers. Beware of fraudulent sites.

The decree establishing the EPZ recalls the permanent derogations set at national level and sets out the temporary derogations chosen for our territory, the result of a desire by the Metropolis to implement the EPZ gradually.

Vehicles benefiting from a permanent derogation set at national level (R2213-1-0-1 ii of the French General Code of Local Authorities)

• Vehicles displaying a "mobilité inclusion" card bearing the mention "Parking for the disabled";
• Vehicles of general interest;
• Low-emission public transport vehicles;
• Ministry of Defense vehicles.

Vehicles eligible for a local derogation set out in the decree establishing the ZFE

To benefit from the local derogation, it is necessary to apply to the Metropole before the date on which the vehicle is concerned by the exclusion of its Crit'Air sticker. Exemptions are justified by various documents or by the vehicle's function.

1. The "light-duty vehicle" exemption

A light-duty vehicle is considered to be the owner of a vehicle that travels less than 8,000 km per year. To benefit from this exemption, you can complete the form accessible at the link below or go directly to one of the 32 one-stop shops in the Metropole.

Please note: the exemption is valid for 3 years from the date the vehicle is evicted; For a vehicle banned on January 1 of year n+1, the exemption request must be submitted between September 1 and November 30 of year n.

2 possibilities for justifying a request for a "light-duty" exemption:

• Provide a certificate of "light-duty" insurance OR
• Produce the last two roadworthiness tests attesting to an annual mileage of less than 8,000 km with a commitment on honor not to drive more.

NB: Only vehicles concerned in the year will be processed. In 2022, for example, only unclassified and Crit'Air 5 vehicles will be processed.

2. 52-day pass

Access to all vehicles regardless of Crit'Air sticker needing access to the territory covered by the EPZ up to a limit of 52 days per calendar year.

3. Reasons for derogations justified by public domain occupation authorizations or prefectoral authorizations (issued on an ad hoc basis or over a longer period by town halls or the prefecture)

• Market supply vehicle with specific fittings having a public domain occupation authorization where the fittings constitute more than half of the vehicle's value excluding VAT. Ex: foodtruck, rotisserie, cheese shop, butcher's shop...
• Passenger transport vehicle assigned to festive, economic, sporting or cultural events or demonstrations, with a public domain occupation permit for the duration of the event.
• Exceptional consignments as defined in article R311-1 of the highway code, with a prefectoral permit.

4. Reasons for exemptions justified by a technical evolution of the rolling stock (vehicle or fleet of vehicles)

• Company vehicle whose replacement is planned by an alternative energy vehicle authorized in the ZFE, the proof is the proof of purchase mentioning the provisional delivery date (Purchase Order).
• Trucks classified as Crit'Air 3 or Crit'Air 4 fuelled with B100 or HVO (diesels made from rapeseed or used oils) whose small or medium-sized business (fewer than 250 employees) is committed to greening its fleet.

5. Exemptions for civil protection vehicles

These are vehicles used for risk prevention, warning and protection missions for people, property and the environment (firefighters, mine clearance intervention groups...). These fleets of vehicles are managed by the French government, local authorities and approved civil protection associations (Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, French Potholing Federation, etc.).

6. reasons for derogations justified by the registration certificate (carte grise)

• Collectible vehicle, making occasional journeys whose registration certificate bears the mention "collection" in section Z.1.
• VVehicle Automoteur Spécifique bearing the mention "VASP" on the registration certificate in section J.1.. These are vehicles that have been adapted for a specific use, e.g. an ambulance, a van converted into a camper van, a specific vehicle for transporting goods, a vehicle adapted for transporting disabled people, a fire truck, an agricultural vehicle...
• Crit'Air 2 or 3 vehicle fitted with an E85 box enabling ethanol fuel to be used, this installation is state-approved and requires a change to the registration certificate showing "FE" in the P section.3. The exclusion of vehicles from crit'air 3 begins on January 1, 2024 for light commercial vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, then on January 1, 2025 for private vehicles and motorized two-wheelers.

7. Derogation for professional vehicles with fittings mentioned on the registration certificate

Refer to the list below to find out if your vehicle is eligible for the derogations:

To combat global warming and improve air quality, the Metropole of Montpellier wants to restrict car traffic and through-traffic in the heart of cities. To help residents change their behavior wherever possible, it offers alternatives to the use of individual cars.