The French metropolis of Lille is preparing to introduce a low emission zone (ZFE-m) from 1 January 2025 in order to improve air quality. This low emission zone will restrict the circulation of vehicles with stickers 4 and 5 as well as unclassified vehicles in order to reduce emissions of air pollutants and improve local air quality. There are already more than 300 such zones in Europe, which have shown positive results in reducing pollutant emissions and improving air quality.
Air pollution has a serious impact on public health: in France alone, it leads to 48,000 avoidable premature deaths every year. In the European metropolis of Lille, 33% of PM10 emissions, 28% of PM2.5 emissions and 65% of NOx emissions are caused by road traffic. In order to obtain the public's opinion on this issue, the metropolis of Lille has launched a public consultation which runs until 21 July.
Lille already has environmental zones: a ZPA "zones de protection de l'air" and an extended ZPA. The ZPA is an air protection zone that encompasses various municipalities around Lille and provides for driving bans for vehicles without a sticker or with an insufficient sticker class if air pollution levels are exceeded. Violations are penalised with fines, although there are exceptions for certain vehicles such as doctors, fire engines, police and public transport.
The extended environmental zone covers other municipalities and has similar regulations to the central environmental zone. It is important that residents and businesses are aware of these low emission zones and take the necessary measures to improve air quality in Lille.
The establishment of the low emission zone is part of a comprehensive sustainable mobility policy in Lille. Short-term measures include expanding the range of electric mobility options, environmental subsidies, bicycle parking facilities and services and the introduction of electric scooters and rental bikes. In the medium term, Lille is planning to double and expand the metro, modernise the tram system and introduce new transport lines.
Overall, the establishment of low emission zones and the promotion of alternative mobility solutions are crucial to improving air quality and protecting the health of the population. Lille is leading by example and implementing measures that will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment in the long term.