What is an EPZ?
This is a "low-emission zone". The aim of such zones is to give priority to the least polluting vehicles, including electric vehicles, and thus reduce emissions from road traffic. The aim is to protect people living in the most polluted areas, by ensuring better air quality. By 2023, over 300 cities in Europe have adopted the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) initiative. In France, 11 cities, including Paris, have committed to developing LEZs. To drive in a low-emission zone, you need a Cit'Air sticker. The sticker must be visible on the windscreen of motorists whose vehicles pollute the least. The most polluting vehicles are subject to traffic restrictions at certain times defined by the ZFE.
Since July 10, 2023, 40 local authorities with populations of over 150,000 have been obliged to set up an EPZ within their conurbation.
For the purposes of this article, we're going to focus on the Greater Lyon EPZ.
#ZFE 🤝 Amplifying the Low Emission Zone is essential to improving air quality.
- Metropole de Lyon (@grandlyon) April 14, 2023
The Metropole is working hand in hand with the economic world on the subject: https: //t.co/ADc8I3Yb4a pic.twitter.com/FuHl0fWnMD
What is the Greater Lyon Metropolis?
The metropolis of Lyon, or Grand Lyon, is a special-status local authority located in the Rhône département, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It was created in 2015 to exercise both departmental competencies and those of a metropolis.
Today, the Greater Lyon metropolitan area is home to some 1.4 million people in 59 communes.
Which communes make up the Greater Lyon metropolitan area?
- Albigny-sur-Saône
- Bron
- Cailloux-sur-Fontaines
- Caluire-et-Cuire
- Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or
- Charbonnières-les-Bains, Charly
- Chassieu
- Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or
- Corbas
- Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or
- Craponne, Curis-au-Mont-d'Or
- Dardilly
- Décines-Charpieu
- Ecully
- Feyzin
- Fleurieu-sur-Saône
- Fontaines-Saint-Martin
- Fontaines-sur-Saône
- Francheville
- Genay
- Givors
- Grigny
- Irigny
- Jonage
- La Mulatière
- La Tour de Salvagny
- Limonest
- Lissieu
- Lyon and its 9 arrondissements
- Marcy-l'Etoile
- Meyzieu
- Mions
- Montanay
- Neuville-sur-Saône
- Oullins
- Pierre-Bénite
- Poleymieux-au-Mont-d'Or
- Quincieux, Rillieux-la-Pape
- Rochetaillée-sur-Saône
- Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or
- Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or
- Saint-Fons
- Saint-Genis-Laval
- Saint-Genis-les-Ollières
- Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d'Or
- Saint-Priest
- Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or,
- Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon
- Sathonay-Camp
- Sathonay-Village
- Solaize
- Tassin-la-Demi-Lune
- Vaulx-en-Velin
- Vénissieux
- Vernaison
- Villeurbanne
New traffic restrictions in Greater Lyon
New restrictions will come into force from January 1ᵉʳ, 2024, and will have a major impact on businesses.
In 2024, cars displaying Crit'Air 3, 4, 5, and unclassified stickers will be subject to traffic restrictions in certain areas of the Greater Lyon Metropolis. Here's an overview:
EPZ area :
The Zone de Faibles Émissions (ZFE) covers several municipalities, including Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, Villeurbanne, Bron and Vénissieux, in the areas bordered by the Laurent Bonnevay ring road.
Expanding the EPZ :
From January 1, 2024, the scope of the EPZ will be extended to include the main arteries of the metropolitan area, in particular the M6 and M7 expressways, boulevard Laurent Bonnevay and boulevard périphérique Nord Lyon (BPNL).
Constraints :
Cars carrying goods bearing a Crit'Air 3,4,5 or unclassified sticker will no longer be allowed to circulate or even park in the Greater Lyon metropolitan area's EPZ from 2024. Since January 1, 2022, this constraint has already applied to commercial and professional vehicles, as well as heavy goods vehicles. The long-term aim of this initiative is to reduce air pollution and improve air quality for tourists, residents and workers alike. It's essential for the people of Lyon to take all these coniditions into account to avoid being fined and improve air quality.
| 2024 | Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) | Heavy goods vehicles | Passenger cars |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Green Crit'Air |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
|
Crit'Air 1 |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
|
Crit'Air 2 |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
Access, traffic and authorized parking |
|
Crit'Air 3 |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
Prohibition of access, circulation and parking in the metropolis on pain of a €135 fine |
Prohibition on access, movement and parking in the metropolis subject to a €68 fine (From 1ᵉʳ September 2024). |
|
Crit'Air 4 |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
Prohibition of access, circulation and parking in the metropolis on pain of a €135 fine |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
|
Crit'Air 5 |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
Prohibition of access, circulation and parking in the metropolis on pain of a €135 fine |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
|
Uncategorized |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
Prohibition of access, circulation and parking in the metropolis on pain of a €135 fine |
Ban on access, movement and parking in the metropolis, subject to a €68 fine |
As you can see, if you want to continue to drive freely in the Greater Lyon area, you need to think about renewing your vehicle fleet, and opt for more environmentally-friendly models.
To help companies better anticipate future expenses, the Greater Lyon metropolitan area has set up a number of grants.
Discover the electric cars available from Beev
Assistance from Greater Lyon for the purchase of an electric vehicle
One of the priorities of the Greater Lyon Metropolitan Area is to implement innovative solutions to improve the lives of its residents. In this context, it is developing ambitious environmental policies and offering grants for the acquisition of vehicles powered by 100% CNG-LNG, 100% electric or 100% hydrogen engines, which can be combined with those offered by the French government. This financial aid scheme is part of the Lyon Atmosphere Protection Plan (PPA) and the Lyon Metropolitan Area's Oxygen Plan.
The Greater Lyon bonus scale for 2024 is as follows:
| 100% CNG - LNG | 100% Electric | 100% Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Trucks (> 3.5 tonnes) |
10 000 € |
10 000 € |
13 000 € |
|
Light commercial vehicle |
5 000 € |
5 000 € |
8 000 € |
|
Electrically assisted scooter |
- |
300 € |
- |
A €1,000 grant is available for the purchase of heavy goods vehicles and light commercial vehicles. Provided the purchaser can justify a minimum 2-year contract for green electricity or green gas. Assistance can be granted up to €12,500, depending on income and vehicle category.
This aid can be combined with the Conversion Bonus.
Grand Lyon's aid for the purchase of an electric vehicle aims to accelerate the replacement of the car fleet by clean vehicles. It complements the conversion bonus set up by the French government.
ALSO READ - Conversion bonus
The aid can be combined with the ecological bonus
The ecological bonus is a tax that rewards or not certain vehicles according to their CO2 emissions. However, in 2023, the ecological bonus has been reduced for companies:
- New passenger cars: 27% of the purchase cost, including tax, up to a maximum of €3,000 for companies.
- New vans: 40% of the purchase cost, including tax, up to a maximum of €4,000 for companies.
The bonus for the purchase of an electric vehicle is €5,000 for private individuals, for vehicles worth €47,000 or less.
READ ALSO → Ecological bonus 2023
Which companies are eligible for assistance from Greater Lyon to purchase an electric vehicle?
The companies concerned by this aid are mainly micro-businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They must have their head office in the Lyon Metropolitan Area. They are available for the acquisition of new or used vehicles, under long-term leasing or LOA (for a period of more than 36 months).
Good to know: the SME category is made up of companies, regardless of their legal form (commercial companies, partnerships, associations, craft activities, etc.).
Which vehicles are eligible for assistance from Greater Lyon?
The following vehicles are eligible for Grand Lyon assistance:
- electric vehicles
- non-rechargeable hybrid vehicles
- Crit'Air 1 petrol cars (excluding rechargeable hybrids)
- LCVs
- heavy goods vehicles
- electrically-assisted scooters
- electric cargo bikes
Good to know, the beneficiary undertakes not to sell the subsidized vehicle(s) for a minimum period of 3 (three) years, and to use it regularly within the Lyon Metropolitan Area. If this commitment is not respected, the beneficiary will be obliged to return the full amount of the subsidy. The Metropole de Lyon reserves the right to carry out documentary and/or on-site checks on the beneficiary's compliance with these conditions within three years of the grant being awarded.
What are the commitments of the beneficiary of assistance from Greater Lyon?
In exchange for this subsidy, private individuals undertake to keep the vehicle for at least 2 years, without having driven at least 6,000 km. Professionals, on the other hand, are obliged to keep the vehicle for at least 3 years, and to use it exclusively within the scope of their business and within the Greater Lyon Metropolitan Area.
If these conditions are not met, they will be obliged to reimburse the amount of the subsidy.
How do I apply for assistance from the Greater Lyon Metropolis?
Step 1: Check eligibility
To qualify for the subsidy, you need to be resident in one of the 59 communes of the Greater Lyon Metropolitan Area, or have a professional activity within the Low Emission Zone. You also need to make sure that your vehicle is in the eligible model category. If you meet all the conditions, you can start putting together your application.
Step 2: Preparing the file
Before taking any steps concerning this subsidy, it is necessary that they be carried out before the purchase of the vehicle. You can do this online here. You will need to upload each document in PDF format in the box indicated.
The beneficiary must, prior to any acquisitionapply for assistance from the Metropole de Lyon by submitting a complete application file. The application must be submitted online via the Toodego platform.
It can be accessed via the following link → My Toodego counter
The application form for financial assistance for the purchase of clean vehicles must be duly completed and accompanied by various supporting documents:
- Company documents: extrait K Bis
- Bank details (RIB)
- Copy(ies) of the car dealer's quotation for each vehicle.
- The date of the quotation must be after the date on which the present scheme comes into force.
- For long-term leases of 36 months or more: a copy of the lease offer. months: a copy of the lease offer. The date of the offer must be after the date on which the present scheme comes into force.
- If applicable, the contract, for a minimum of two years, either for the supply of "green" gas (benefiting from guarantees of origin), or for the supply of "green" electricity.
Stage 3: Validation by the Metropole de Lyon
Step 4: Payment
The full amount of the grant will be paid to the beneficiary on presentation of copies of the following supporting documents:
- Paid invoice or rental contract signed by both parties
- Registration certificates for each subsidized clean vehicle
- Photos of each clean vehicle subsidized by this scheme.
Which commercial vehicle is right for you?
Toyota Proace 50 kWh
- Range (WLTP): 230 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Peugeot e-Partner 50 kWh
Purchase price €0
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from € 584 / month
- Range (WLTP): 200 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 11.7 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 31 min.
Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech EV45 11kw
Purchase price €40,320
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from €634 / month
- Range (WLTP): 300 km
Toyota Proace City Verso 50 kWh
Purchase price €38,920
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no down payment for professionals from €926 / month
Opel Vivaro-e 200
Purchase price €0
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no deposit for professionals from € 546 / month
- Range (WLTP): 230 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Fiat E-Ducato 47 kWh
Low-cost leasing for professionals from €699 / month
- Range (WLTP): 170 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 10 sec.
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 30 min.
Peugeot e-Expert 50 kWh
- Range (WLTP): 230 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 13.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Opel Zafira-e Life 200
- Range (WLTP): 230 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Now you know all the details of how the Greater Lyon Metropolis can help you buy an electric vehicle. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
