Skip to main content

New laws will limit vehicle pollution in Paris

New proposals put forward in Paris could place pollution at peak periods as a priority. The planned pollution programme would include measures such as a toll on the main routes entering Paris. Users would pay rates reflecting various criteria such as the distance travelled, whether it is a peak travel period or the environmental impact of the vehicle being used. Vehicles seen as excessively polluting would be banned, with one proposal forbidding the use of large SUV/4x4 cars that are more than 17 years old
November 8, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
New proposals put forward in Paris could place pollution at peak periods as a priority. The planned pollution programme would include measures such as a toll on the main routes entering Paris. Users would pay rates reflecting various criteria such as the distance travelled, whether it is a peak travel period or the environmental impact of the vehicle being used.

Vehicles seen as excessively polluting would be banned, with one proposal forbidding the use of large SUV/4x4 cars that are more than 17 years old and another preventing the use of HGVs that are more than 18 years old. Two wheeled vehicles over 10 years old would also be barred, although quite why is not clear as motorcycles typically use less fuel and are less likely to be caught in traffic jams with engines idling for long periods. If the regulations were to ban the use of two stroke motorcycles and scooters, which are less efficient on fuel and feature total loss lubrication resulting greater emission levels, then they would at least make more sense.

Other rules put forward include compulsory 30km/h speed limits near schools as well as sports and cultural areas and a speed reduction on the Paris loop road to 70km/h compared with the present 80km/h. The pollution proposals are being put forward by the mayor of Paris and should these be accepted, could be introduced in the third quarter of 2014.

Related Content

  • European Transport Safety Commission makes call for traffic safety boost
    July 10, 2015
    In 2013, 7,600 people died in road traffic while cycling or walking in European Union (EU) countries – the equivalent of a commercial airliner full of passengers being lost every week Because of this risk of death, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) wants vehicle manufacturers and local authorities to pay special attention to improving safety for cyclists, walkers and pedestrians. In a new report, the ETSC said the numbers being killed are falling more slowly than those for vehicle occupants. Over
  • Helping tackle congestion and sustainability in European traffic
    September 10, 2015
    The European Parliament has accepted that powered two-wheelers will play a significant role in sustainable mobility, helping reduce both traffic congestion and pollution. The European Parliament adopted Wim van de Camp’s “Report on the implementation of the 2011 White Paper on Transport: taking stock and the way forward towards sustainable mobility”. In the report motorcycles are seen as part of the solution to solving the problems in urban transport. Powered two wheelers can help tackle congestion and park
  • Cutting congestion in LA?
    June 4, 2019
    A new proposal has been put forward for Los Angeles suggesting that a congestion charging scheme be introduced to help tackle the city’s transport woes. According to the CEO of the Los Angeles Metro system, the revenue from the congestion charge for drivers could then be used to allow people to use the city’s transit system for free. Many US cities depend heavily on road transport for carrying goods and commuting. However as many inhabitants and visitors to Los Angeles can attest, the sprawling city and it
  • Solutions to road user charging
    April 11, 2012
    In this second of a two-part article, Jack Opiola, demonstrates that the imposition of a government provided GPS mandate to levy mileage tax could be eliminated by offering motorists transparent choices regarding their manner of compliance. The key to a mileage tax system without a GPS mandate is through offering motorists choices. Most motorists are consumers who are comfortable with selecting products and services from among options available in the marketplace. A mileage tax can be built upon this reali