The new climate package hits old diesel and petrol cars hard. All major cities in France will have to set up a permanent low emission zone with strict rules by the end of 2024. The sale of combustion cars will also be banned in the long term. At the same time, more eco-lanes are to be set up to promote e-mobility.
In Marseille, 2000 mobile measuring devices are being distributed to citizens to measure air pollution in the metropolis. The aim is to obtain more precise information on the improvement of air quality and the effectiveness of the environmental zone in the city on the Mediterranean Sea.
The country faces a 100 million euro fine for excessive air pollution. A two-month deadline set by the European Commission to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution passed unsuccessfully yesterday. At the same time, a French court ruled that the state was partly to blame for the country's climate damage.
The situation for car drivers in France is becoming increasingly confusing. Now Bordeaux is also to get a temporary environmental zone. In the city by the sea, however, it is not only traffic that causes high particulate pollution. The sea also contributes to the air pollution peaks.
Controls in the Paris Low Emission Zone are to be automated this year. Drivers who enter the Paris metropolitan area with an unauthorised sticker can then be identified and penalised by camera systems.
The French bus and taxi lanes are to be opened to all electric motorbikes in future. The aim is to encourage more people to buy electric vehicles.
Only five days after tightening the rules in the Lyon Low Emission Zone, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the measures. The distinction between private individuals and traders disregards the equal rights of citizens. This could mean the end of the tightening in one of the dirtiest cities in France.
In all 20 arrondissements within the city motorway, the speed will be reduced in the new year. This is to improve air quality, but also to reduce noise pollution and traffic accidents.
The measure for better air, controversial in Germany, is becoming increasingly popular in France. Grenoble has had the country's first eco-lane since October. The lane in Lyon has been active since yesterday.
An eco-lane will be installed in the French metropolis before Christmas. It is intended to reduce traffic through carpooling and thus save more than 22,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
