For several years, low emission zones (LEZs) have been changing the mobility landscape in France and Europe. Designed to reduce air pollution, these areas impose traffic restrictions on the most polluting vehicles. For fleet managers, these changes represent both a major challenge and an opportunity for development. So what is a low emission zone (ZFE), and What are the concrete impacts on fleets?
What is a ZFE?
A low emission zone (ZFE) is a geographical area whose access is restricted to vehicles considered too polluting. These restrictions are based on the Crit'Air sticker system in France, which classifies vehicles according to their polluting emission levels.
Already in place in several major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille, the ZFE will be extended to all agglomerations with more than 150,000 inhabitants from 2025. This reform, which stems from the Climate and Resilience Act, imposes even more stringent restrictions. As a result, vehicles with Crit'Air 4 and 5 stickers and unclassified vehicles will gradually be banned from these areas.
The impact of LEZs on vehicle fleets
Vehicle fleets are at the forefront of these new rules, as some or all of their vehicles classified in Crit'Air 4 and 5 categories and unclassified vehicles cannot or will no longer be able to drive in the LEZs, under penalty of sanctions.
This is all the more true with the advent of radars equipped with artificial intelligence, which will very soon be able to detect the sticker and issue fines directly accordingly.
Companies therefore no longer really have a choice: either to see the number of fines increase significantly, or to renew their non-compliant vehicles in favor of engines that are more environmentally friendly. In both cases, increased spending is to be expected.
How to limit the impact on vehicle fleets?
Faced with these changes and in order to achieve an effective energy transition, it is essential to fully understand the uses of each vehicle. More precisely, which of the vehicles that make up the vehicle fleet actually drive within an LEZ?
An electrification study, such as that proposed by OPTIMAL, provides an accurate overview of the real uses of vehicles. Beyond traffic areas, this study makes it possible to identify various essential parameters for electrifying “good vehicles”. For example, based on these criteria: mileage for each trip, daily mileage, duration and location of downtime, etc.
This electrification study thus provides a real roadmap ready to use:
- identification of vehicles to be electrified
- Suggestions for replacement vehicles
- definition and calibration of the necessary electric charging networks (at home, on the company site, on the public charging network, etc.).
In conclusion,
Low emission zones represent a major turning point for vehicle fleets. While these changes impose constraints, they also open the way to opportunities: modernizing the vehicle fleet, reducing user costs and environmental impact, and complying with current regulations. Thanks to connected and innovative solutions, such as those from OPTIMUM, managers can transform these challenges into strategic levers for the future.
