Paris enforces old car ban

[Express]

Paris enforces old car ban


Vehicles built before 1997 are now banned from entering the French capital.



Sam Charlwood
6 July, 2016



Clearer skies: the city of Paris has enforced a ban on older vehicles. Photo: Supplied.


The city of Paris has officially enforced a ban on old cars and motorcycles in a bid to combat heavy weekday pollution.

From this month, cars built before 1997 and motorcycles and scooters built before 1999 will be restricted from inside the French capital and some of its most famous streets during the daytime, including the Champs-Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe.

The Parisian government enforcing the bans will issue modest, phased-in fines during weekday traffic between 8am and 8pm. A grace period is in effect until October, with fines set to rise as high as $100 (AUD) in 2017.

Offending cars will be allowed to drive freely on weekends, while historic vehicles will reportedly be given extra leeway when venturing into the French capital.

The measures follow a raft of trials aimed at minimising Parisian pollution, which at times can render the Eiffel Tower nearly invisible.

In 2014, French officials began imposing alternate driving days for motorists – depending on whether they had odd or even-numbered licence plates. Paris officials have also offered incentives for public transport and car pooling in the past, akin to measures in place in Asia and the rest of Europe.

The restrictions appear largely aimed at diesel vehicles, with the French government wanting to gradually phase out diesel-powered passenger vehicles. As it stands, roughly 80 per cent of French motorists drive diesel-powered cars.

It's thought the ban on older vehicles will cover about 10 per cent of cars currently registered in Paris, about 30,000 vehicles. By 2020, the ban will cover cars registered before 2010.

And if you're wondering how French police will track offenders, vehicles will now use window stickers classifying them by their pollution levels.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/p...06-gpzwb9.html

[Junkyard-Dog]

When you consider how many cigarettes the average Parisian smokes each day, you would think they wouldn't mind a bit of air pollution.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Been happening for several years in Turin. My uncle had to borrow his neighbours car to collect us from the airport as his car had certain digits on the plate that made it exempt from being on the road that day.

[new2ford]

Paris was one of those minority of European cities that was stupid enough to get rid of its trams and now they're paying for it. An increasing number of cities in Europe aren't allowing diesel buses into the city centres (they interchange with trams or metro on the outskirts) and diesel cars have been in the sights for a while. It's a growing trend.

[FG50T]

The pollution shows all over European cities. Most buildings being light coloured stone turned to black and are cleaned every 2-3 years I believe.

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Paris was one of those minority of European cities that was stupid enough to get rid of its trams and now they're paying for it. An increasing number of cities in Europe aren't allowing diesel buses into the city centres (they interchange with trams or metro on the outskirts) and diesel cars have been in the sights for a while. It's a growing trend.

Yes diesels will soon start being banned.

Which is great for the LPG industry!!!

[Ben73]

Makes me wonder what SoCal would be like if American's loved diesel as much as the Europeans.
LA smells like pollution most of the time and hardly anyone drives diesels.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Makes me wonder what SoCal would be like if American's loved diesel as much as the Europeans.
LA smells like pollution most of the time and hardly anyone drives diesels.

Yes petrol is also polluting but Diesel adds the extra dimensions of being carcinogenic and depositing dirt.

[roddy1960]

G'day...If ever a country needs some great looking distinctive cars it's France and by association , the city of Paris...Germany still build great cars , Italy build great cars, even England have a toe in the water still in that regard...French modern day mainstream for the masses cars are shamefully boring and uninspiring in my opinion..Renault , Peugeot (however you spell it) , Citroen are really nothing special.....Not always the case..At one time they produced some icons that still amaze like the Citroen DS and the 2CV for example as did Renault and the tough as buggery 504's , 505 Pugs...They had a bit of class...I wonder does this ban include these old classics...Then again at least the still do build cars , unlike us within the next year or two I suppose...Cheers Rod..

[yearby]

This why I'm a believer in the ethanol mixed fuel for the future and why I see it as the next step in fuels.

If Paris was to introduce even a 5% ethanol fuel mix over the entire transport fleet in Paris, there would be a significant drop in the smog mix. That is a lowering of the NOx, Co and HC emissions without imposing restrictions on vehicles.

Does anyone know if there is ethanol mixed fuels in France?

Peter

[Bossxr8]

If they have 80% diesel powered cars, petrol engines only make up a small %. It won't make much difference.