The Commission has already initiated several measures to guarantee the execution of its proposals.
Low-emission Zones (LEZs), which have been instrumental in removing highly polluting vehicles from French roads, were voted on by the National Assembly's committee on May 28. This move has sparked questions about the future of Crit'Air stickers, necessary for driving within certain cities.
The legislative process of eliminating LEZs, a point of contention among left-wing politicians, is not yet complete. As it stands, the Crit'Air sticker, or air quality certificate, is still required for vehicles to drive in low-emission areas, despite the recent vote.
According to La Dépêche, the Crit'Air sticker can not be removed from windshields. The reasoning being that, although the vote has been passed, several stages still need to be validated for the elimination of the regulation to take full effect and remove this sticker introduced in 2016.
The National Assembly will need to study the remaining 623 amendments before voting on the complete bill, which must secure a majority. Even though the decision of the National Assembly has been made, the Constitutional Council could still veto the text, keeping the Crit'Air sticker mandatory.
Although the elimination of LEZs could potentially render the Crit'Air sticker unnecessary, the current regulations remain in place until further legislative confirmation. Drivers should still ensure they have a Crit'Air sticker when visiting France, especially in major cities. The cost of the sticker is affordable, and it is available online.
In January 2025, all French cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants were required to implement low-emission zones, which would have expanded the use of Crit'Air stickers. However, any changes to the law regarding ZFEs and the Crit'Air sticker will impact their need in the future.
- Amidst ongoing discussions about the future of Crit'Air stickers and Low-emission Zones (LEZs), the need for science and environmental-science to guide policy-and-legislation becomes increasingly evident.
- The role of the automotive industry in contributing to pollution and climate-change is under scrutiny, as the recent vote on LEZs has sparked debates about the necessity of Crit'Air stickers.
- Finance will play a critical role in this scenario, as drivers are willing to comply with regulations if they are affordable, such as the Crit'Air sticker, which is available online.
- The general-news outlets are abuzz with the potential changes in policy-and-legislation regarding Crit'Air stickers and ZFEs, as the Constitutional Council's vote and the National Assembly's final decision could significantly impact the transportation sector.
- The politics surrounding the elimination of LEZs and the future of Crit'Air stickers further underscores the need for strategic environmental-science policies and legislations to curb pollution and mitigate climate-change, especially in the realm of science and industry.
