In a controversial decision, the French National Assembly has voted in favor of abolishing the country’s Low Emission Zones (Zones à Faibles Émissions or ZFEs), citing growing concerns about social inequality and financial pressure on low-income households.
Originally launched in 2019 under President Emmanuel Macron, the ZFE initiative aimed to curb urban air pollution by limiting access for older, high-emission vehicles based on the Crit’Air classification system. These environmental zones were introduced in major cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, with plans to extend them to all metropolitan areas with populations over 150,000 by the end of 2025.
However, on June 19, lawmakers passed an amendment to the government’s new Simplification Bill, which included a proposal by far-right National Rally MP Pierre Meurin to dismantle the ZFE program entirely. The amendment passed narrowly, with 275 votes in favor and 252 against, drawing support even from members within Macron’s centrist coalition.
Socioeconomic Divide Sparks Debate
Opponents of the ZFE system argue it unfairly targets lower-income citizens, who are more likely to drive older vehicles and cannot afford to upgrade to newer or electric models. Writer Alexandre Jardin, founder of the protest movement Les Gueux (“The Beggars”), captured the public sentiment when he declared, “Ecology has become a sport for the rich.”
Still, environmental advocates and urban policy experts warn that eliminating these zones would be a significant setback for France’s environmental targets, particularly in reducing fine particle emissions and improving city air quality.
Legal and Legislative Road Ahead
Despite the Assembly’s vote, the measure is far from being finalized. The amendment must now pass through a joint committee of seven senators and seven deputies, who will reconcile differing versions of the bill. The Senate’s version notably excludes any reference to ZFEs, raising the possibility that the clause could be dropped entirely.
Moreover, France’s Constitutional Council may intervene and deem the amendment a “legislative rider”—a clause unrelated to the core of the bill—and strike it down.
UK Drivers Advised to Keep Crit’Air Stickers
For now, UK motorists traveling to France are being urged not to discard their Crit’Air stickers, which remain legally required for driving in urban zones still covered by existing ZFE regulations. Stickers can still be obtained via the official French government portal.
In summary, while the vote marks a dramatic political and cultural shift in France’s environmental policy, the ZFE rules remain in force—at least for now.
