Diesel lorries to be completely banned in Lyon by 2026

The French city of Lyon has voted in favour of establishing a stricter Low Emission Zone (ZFE) from next year. The use of diesel lorries, which is now restricted, will be banned altogether from 2026.

As a result of the last vote, the ban on passenger cars with category 5 environmental vignettes (diesel cars registered before 1 Jan 2001) and unclassified private vehicles came into force on 1 September 2022. According to the adopted schedule, the ban will be gradually extended between 2023 and 2026 to include vehicles belonging to categories 4 (Euro 4), 3 (Euro 5) and 2 (Euro 6).

The Low Emission Zone includes:
– almost all the municipal districts of Lyon,
– parts of Villeurbanne, Bron and Vénissieux contained within the Laurent Bonnevay ring road
– the entire municipality of Caluire-et-Cuire.

It is worth mentioning that the Low Emission Zone (ZFE) in the city of Lyon was established on January 1, 2020. The ban applies to HGVs and light commercial vehicles used for transporting goods with Crit’air 3, 4 or 5 stickers (category N), which means that these vehicles can no longer drive or park in the ZFE. Failture to comply entails a penalty of € 68 for light commercial vehicles and € 135 for trucks.

To support hauliers, the city of Lyon offers subsidies for the procurement of clean vehicles (running on natural gas or electric: BEV or FCEV):
• light commercial vehicles: EUR 5,000 for 100% CNG or 100% electric, EUR 8,000 for hydrogen vehicles ,
• lorries (with MAM of over 3,5 t): EUR 10,000 for 100% CNG or 100% electric vehicles, EUR 13,000 for hydrogen vehicles,
• electric powered tricycle: EUR 3000.

Hauliers purchasing HGVs or LGVs, can receive additional amount of 1,000 euros when they sign a green gas or green electricity supply contract for a minimum of 2 years.