This measure, initially planned for July 2024, will eventually come into force in January 2025. On this date, vehicles classified Crit’Air 3 will no longer be able to circulate in large French cities. This provision will apply first to Paris and Lyon, before extending to other large cities such as Marseille, Rouen and Strasbourg.
A considerable impact on the French vehicle fleet
This ban will mainly concern diesel vehicles registered between 2006 and 2010, as well as gasoline vehicles put into circulation between 2006 and 2011. This decision is a continuation of the restrictions already applied to Crit’Air 4 and 5 vehicles, aimed at gradually eliminate the most polluting vehicles from urban centers.
The figures speak for themselves: private vehicles represent more than 50% of emissions of greenhouse gases from the transport sector and 26% of national nitrogen oxide emissions. Faced with this observation, the authorities are intensifying their efforts to improve air quality in France, starting with large cities.
What to do if you have a Crit’Air 3 vehicle?
To facilitate the transition, several support systems have been put in place. Owners of affected vehicles can benefit from the conversion bonus by selling their vehicle to a dealership or scrapyard. There are many alternatives: acquisition of an electric or hybrid vehicle, use of public transport, or adoption of new mobility solutions such as the electric bicycle.
Experts advise Crit’Air 3 vehicle owners to anticipate this deadline to avoid significant depreciation of their vehicle as the deadline approaches.
Lack of consistency
This measure risks making people cringe, the ecological argument being difficult to swallow. Indeed, at the same time, the government announced a reduction in aid for the purchase of electric vehicles. The ecological bonus, which could reach 7,000 euros for the most modest households, will now cap at 4,000 euros, all measures combined. Utility vehicles are completely excluded.
This inconsistency is all the more surprising given that EU countries have committed to no longer selling new vehicles other than electric from 2035. Faced with the timid adoption of electric (the year 2024 is particularly gloomy), the text could be re-discussed from 2026, under pressure from countries like Germany, rather fans of e-fuels.
- Crit’Air 3 vehicles will be banned in several large French cities from January 2025
- The measure concerns diesel (2006-2010) and gasoline (2006-2011) vehicles
- Financial aid and mobility alternatives are offered to support this transition
