What is a ZFE-m?
Low-emission mobility zones (ZFE-m) are zones where where only low-polluting vehicles can circulate. These zones are set by the local authorities, who determine the types of vehicles that can circulate within the perimeter, the level of Crit'Air level, and the periods during which traffic is restricted.
These vehicles, which emit CO2, are identified by Crit'Air stickers stickers affixed to the windshield. Vehicles are color-coded according to their level of atmospheric pollutant emissions:
- Crit'Air vert, level 0: this sticker applies to 100% electric vehicles or hydrogen
- Crit'Air violet, level 1: this sticker applies to petrol or hybrid vehicles registered from 2011 onwards.
- Crit'Air yellow, level 2: vehicles concerned are diesel, euro 5 and 6, registered from 2011 and gasoline, euro 4, registered between 2006 and 2010.
- Crit'Air orange, level 3: this sticker is for vehicles registered between 1997 and 2005 for petrol vehicles, and between 2006 and 2010 for diesel vehicles.
- Crit'Air brown, level 4: for diesel vehicles registered between 2001 and 2005.
- Crit'Air gray, level 5: this sticker applies to diesel vehicles registered between 1997 and 2000.
To find out whether your vehicle is authorized to drive in low-emission zones, you will need to :
- make a to find out your vehicle's environmental of your vehicle.
- order and affix the Crit'Air certificate on the vehicle's windshield
Good to know: if a polluting vehicle moves in a ZFE-m, the driver incurs a fixed fine:
- For cars and two-wheelers: €68
- For trucks, buses and coaches: €135
ZFE: zero-rate loan for 2023
According to the Official Journal of April 24, 2022Decree no. 2022-615 will take effect on January 1, 2023 for current and future ZFE-m.
Initially scheduled to run for two years from January 1, 2023, the experiment with the zero-rate loan has been extended to December 31, 2025. This means that the scheme is now open for three years instead of two.
From this date onwards, anyone (private individuals or professionals) who works, lives or works near the EPZ will be eligible for a zero-interest loan for the purchase of an electric vehicle. This loan is also available to people wishing to buy a used electric carwith maximum WLTP CO2 emissions of 50 g/km and a maximum weight of 2.6 t.
The decree has been amended to also include financing for electric retrofits, which enable a combustion vehicle to be converted to electric power. This extension broadens the options for potential beneficiaries wishing to switch to cleaner mobility without necessarily purchasing a new vehicle.
To benefit from the zero-rate loan, it will be granted according to several criteria:
- Individuals with a per-unit tax income of up to €14,000.
- Legal entities, particularly micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees and sales of up to 2 million euros.
Why did you set up this system?
As we touched on at the very beginning of this article, this system helps to improve air quality and protect the health of residents where the pollution threshold is high.
In addition to national and regional subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehiclethe French government is offering a zero-interest loan to encourage and simplify the transition to an ecological future for all residents.
Which ZFE-m zones are eligible for the zero-rate loan?
According to the Climate and Resilience Actmetropolises with more than 150,000 inhabitants will have to set up ZFE-m by 2024.
To date, many cities have already set up ZFE-m zones. Here are the zones that will be affected by the scheme:
- Aix-Marseille-Provence
- Paris and its metropolises
- Grenoble Metropolis
- Metropolis of Lyon
- Montpellier-Méditerranée
- Nice-Côtes d'Azur
- Greater Reims Urban Community
- Rouen-Normandie
- Saint-Etienne
- Strasbourg Eurometropolis
- Toulouse
- Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée
To find out if your municipality is in a Low Emission Zone, you can consult this list of regulatory ZFE-mas of August 1, 2023.
How much is the zero-rate loan?
The zero-rate mobility loan (PTZ-m) has been extended until December 31, 2025, following an amendment made by Article 41 of the Finance Act for 2024. This loan is intended for the purchase of an electric or hybrid vehicle, as well as the conversion of a combustion vehicle to electric, for individuals and legal entities located in or near a low-emission mobility zone (ZFE-m).
only passenger cars and vans weighing less than 2.6 t and emitting less than 50 g/km will be eligible for the zero-rate loan.
The cost of this loan varies according to the vehicle used:
- For a car: the amount is capped at €47,000.
- For a van: the amount is capped at €60,000.
- For the acquisition or retrofit of an electric vehicle: €30,000".
Please note: these different acquisition costs include all taxes and are deducted before government grants.
You can also benefit from a zero-rate loan if you wish to lease a vehicle in LDD (long-term leasing), a LMD (medium-term leasing) or LOA (Lease with Purchase Option). In this case, the loan granted will be €10,000, and the loan repayment period will be equal to the duration of the chosen leasing contract.
What's more, if you're interested in acquiring a electric vehicledon't hesitate to contact us and tell us about your project.
Please note that you can also combine this loan with other aid for the purchase of electric vehicleswhether you're a company or an individual:
- The environmental bonus
- The conversion premium
- Visit regional aids
Which vehicles are covered by this scheme?
To benefit from this zero-interest loan, specific vehicles are eligible, including :
- All vehicles complying with the very low CO2 emissions threshold (green Crit'Air sticker, level 0) (including electric and hybrid vehicles ).
- The vans
On the other hand, if you have a motorized two-wheeler, this feature will not be available to you. What's more, you won't be able to swap your diesel car for an electric scooter to get to work in an EPZ.
