Exemptions, fines: with the ZFE, what changes for Crit'Air 4 cars in Montpellier and in the Metropolis ?

Une tolérance est accordée aux véhicules en Crit’Air 4 et 5 à Montpellier. Midi Libre – Midi Libre

Depuis le 1er janvier 2024, les voitures Crit'Air 4 ne peuvent plus circuler dans onze communes de la Métropole, dont Montpellier.

"How do they know if I'm in the rules or not ?". Guilhem has a Kangoo diesel dating from 2003. In theory, the forty-year-old living in Jacou can no longer use his car. The latter is part of the Crit'Air 4 vehicles, banned since January 1, 2024 with the establishment of the ZFE (low emissions zone) in eleven municipalities in the Métropole including Jacou, and Montpellier* . 

"Finally, I only use it a little. So I switched my insurance to a small wheeler, because I do less than 8,000 km& ;quot;, he explains. An exemption which allows him to continue to use his vehicle despite the ban on Crit'Air 4s for several days. However, there remains an unanswered question: “If he stops me, I don't know at all how we justify this exemption. I don't know if I should pay the fine or if they have access to my insurance information, asks Jacoumard.

No fine until August 2024

In place since July 2022, the ZFE aims to limit or even prohibit the circulation of highly polluting vehicles. After the Crit'Air 5, since the start of 2024, it is petrol cars before 1997 and diesel cars before 2006 which are affected by this ban. However, Montpellier being a "vigilance territory", as the Métropole underlines, no fines and no checks will be carried out before August 2024. After this date, fixed fines of 68 € (for light vehicles) which can go up to 135 € (for heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches) will be issued. It remains to be seen how these controls will be carried out.

Little rider, 52-day pass and alternative itineraries

Some exceptions exist, however. Firstly, like Guilhem, the possibility of switching to a “small wheeler”, if you do not exceed 8,000 km per year. A file must be submitted to the Metropolis. But “only the vehicles concerned during the year will be processed. Example for private vehicles, in 2024 only unclassified vehicles and Crit'air 4 and 5” will be treated, specifies the service. The exemption is effective for a period of three years.

What help for changing vehicles ?

By 2026, only Cirt'Air 1 and 2 vehicles will be able to circulate in the Metropolis "subject to national and local regulatory developments", specifies the service. To help individuals and professionals change vehicles, several financial bonuses are available:  

Ecological bonus: up to 7,000 € help with the purchase or rental of an electric or plug-in hybrid car or van. Conversion bonus: up to €5,000 assistance with the purchase of a new or used vehicle in exchange for the scrapping of an old vehicle. Electrical retrofit bonus: aid of a maximum amount of 9,000 € to the transformation of a thermal engine into an electric motor. The amount of aid varies depending on the reference tax income. Eco-mobility check: assistance with the purchase of a used electric or plug-in hybrid car Assistance devices for the installation of electric charging stations (IRVE).

The State guarantees 50% of microcredits capped at 8,000 € contracted by low-income households to purchase a Crit'Air 0/vert or Crit'Air 1.

vehicle

As for professionals, in addition to the financial aid listed above, other bonuses exist such as: the EVE system (Voluntary Commitments for the Environment), the # 39;help from the Region for hydrogen vehicles or the "springboard" from ADEME ranging from 250 € at 25,000 €. 

Complete list on the Métropole website.

Exemption routes have also been created to allow motorists to travel regardless of their sticker. For example, for Montpellier, it will always be possible to go via avenues Vincent Auriol, des Moulins and Pablo Néruda as well as via rue Blayac to the north, via the M132, M132E, M612 and M5 on the side of Saint-Jean-de-Védas or the M65 towards Le Crès. The exceptional business parks Garosud and Restanque in Montpellier, Courpouyraan in Juvignac, Condamine and Lauze in Saint-Jean-de-Védas and Charles Martel in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone also remain accessible to all vehicles.

Exemptions on a case-by-case basis

Finally, if vehicles displaying a "mobility inclusion" including the mention "parking for disabled people", those of general interest, low-emission public transport or the Ministry of Defense benefit from a permanent exemption , local exemptions also exist. Those who have the 52-day pass can benefit from it, granted to all motorists needing access to the territory covered by the ZFE for a limit of 52 days per calendar year. Other reasons for exemptions may be granted to the market supply vehicle, for example, to the transport of passengers during festive, economic, sporting or cultural events and demonstrations, or even exceptional convoys (full list on the Métropole website). 

Ultimately, by 2026, the ZFE will be deployed across all 31 municipalities in the Metropolis.

*The eleven municipalities affected by the ZFE in 2024: Castelnau-le-Lez, Clapiers, Grabels, Jacou, Juvignac, Lattes, Le Crès, Montpellier, Pérols, Saint-Jean-de-Védas and Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone .
To obtain your sticker: www.certificat-air.gouv.fr. 3.72 €. I subscribe to read more