[Interview] François Chollet tells us all about the Toulouse ZFE
The Toulouse Low Emission Zone (ZFE) will be created on March 1st. A date finally set, which puts an end to several months of waiting. Calendar, cancellations, sanctions, perimeter, François Chollet, vice-president of Toulouse Métropole, in charge of ecology, returns to all the questions concerning the device.
François Chollet, the Low Emission Zone (ZFE) will be introduced on March 1, following the publication of the ministerial decree. Why did you wait for its publication, unlike cities like Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg or Grenoble?
It was essential for us to ensure the legal consolidation of the ZFE. Indeed, questions concerning the signing of the decree and the impact study remained. Insofar as the process was initiated before the publication of the decree, the law now specifies that it must be completed. Thus, the impact study, which appeared in our file, but which we had not titled as such, will be the one that will prevail.
On the other hand, concerning the signing of the decree launching the implementation of the ZFE, it is not the three mayors of the municipalities concerned by the device (Toulouse, Tournefeuille and Colomiers) who will initial as initially planned, but indeed Jean-Luc Moudenc, president of Toulouse Métropole, alone.
Having thus obtained answers to our questions, we can formalize the entry into force of the Low Emission Zone.
Precisely, in detail, could you recall the calendar, which we know is progressive?
The year 2022 concerns heavy goods vehicles and vans: on March 1, unclassified vehicles and Crit’air 5 could no longer circulate in Toulouse, and on September 1, this will be extended to Crit’air 4. From January 1 2023, all unclassified vehicles, Crit’air 5 or 4 will also be unable to drive in the Pink City. Then, on January 1, 2024, only Crit’air vehicles 0, 1 and 2 can circulate. The ZFE will then be fully effective.
Deviants in discussion
In this ZFE whose threshold will be prohibited for the most polluting vehicles by 2024, what will apply?
There are two types of exemptions. The national ones, on we do not have the hand, like those conceded to the vehicles of general interest, those of the police force, the ministry of Defense… And those which we can give, locally, for a maximum duration of three years , as for collector vehicles. These are the result of consultations, which we have been carrying out with Toulouse residents, professionals (craftsmen, public works federations, construction, etc.) and heads of associations, since 2019. With them, we have thought about the most satisfactory layout as possible, knowing that we must take into account everyone’s difficulties, without distorting the ZFE. The challenge is to find the best compromise. Until the decree is signed, these discussions are ongoing. And until everything is completely settled, I won’t go into detail.
Several of these derogations have been submitted to you in consultation. Have any been rejected outright?
We have studied several of them, in particular that of a possible status for ”leisure” vehicles. These are old cars (more than 20 years old), not being collector’s vehicles, which drive little, and do not have a very significant impact on pollution. We are still working on this possible potential.
On the other hand, that concerning hourly exemptions is no longer on the agenda. No ZFE, apart from Paris, has chosen this option. In Toulouse, and everywhere else, the system is active 24 hours a day. The modeling of the air quality monitoring agency, Atmo Occitaniedemonstrates that such a decision will lead to a 30% loss in the effectiveness of the device.
For all the others, we are still in an arbitration phase, which will end on March 1st.
“Time exemptions are no longer on the agenda”
What about tourists or drivers passing through Toulouse?
The perimeter of the ZFE excluding the ring road allows the possibility of transit via the eastern ring road. Thus, all vehicles could continue to cross Toulouse, without entering it. As for people who wish to visit the Pink City, no derogation is provided for. All French people are familiar with this device, deployed in 43 cities in the country. Moreover, the terms will be the same everywhere, except the perimeter, specific to each of them.
They will be informed of the perimeter, like everyone else, by signs installed at the entrances to the zone. In addition, I think that we will carry out a communication campaign so that everyone is informed of this device and its modalities.
Devices specific to the Toulouse ZFE
Is the Toulouse ZFE special compared to the system implemented in other cities?
What characterizes our device is the width of the perimeter, which concerns 430,000 inhabitants and includes the entire city of Toulouse perhaps. The result of political will, but also of the geographical context and population density. We wanted a progressive, effective and supported ZFE.
What do you mean by “accompanied”?
First, we dialogued with individuals, lobbies, associations, professionals. But also, we have created bonuses, upstream, to help Toulouse residents to comply. These have been effective since the end of 2020, and can be combined. They allow the most precarious to be able to buy less emissive, more recent vehicles. I also specify that these must not be electric. In 2021, more than 70% of people who received a bonus for changing vehicles had low incomes. Thus, the objective of these aids has been achieved.
“If difficulties are observed, there will be internal reflections”
Certain difficulties were triggered and discussed prior to the implementation of the ZFE, giving rise to readjustments. Will it be possible to modify the terms of the device after March 1, in use?
A monitoring committee has been created. It will have two objects. First, to analyze the effectiveness of the ZFE on air quality. Then, to identify the difficulties it has caused, to observe its acceptability. If difficulties are noted, it is clear that there will be internal reflections…
The question of the perimeter of the Toulouse ZFE
Can these reflections concern the scope, which despite its final validation, is still debated?
He won’t change. Initially, we had several scope assumptions. There was even talk of including only the city center. But, the objective of this ZFE being to improve the quality of the air within it, only the inhabitants of the center could then benefit from this contribution. In a sector where the air is finally perhaps the best initially, because the presence of the car is already reduced there. If we were limited to this area, our project would only reach a small part of the population.
It is therefore the possibility of offering better air quality to the greatest number of people, which motivated us to widen the area. Especially since we have 8,000 Toulouse residents who live permanently with pollution above the maximum threshold.
However, these same Toulouse residents who will benefit from the contributions of the ZFE are not unanimous as to the benefit-constraints ratio… As are some elected officials…
This is not the case for everyone. I have attended several neighborhood meetings in which the people who live near the western ring road in particular are happy with the arrival of this device. This is the place where there is the most pollution in Toulouse, and where the threat to human health is the greatest. In comparison, the Eastern ring road is bordered by little urbanized spaces. This is not the case of the Western ring road. This portion, between 7 Deniers and Avenue de Muret, puts the population at risk. And that’s why we included it in the final scope. This has a maximizing effect on the efficiency of the EPZ.
“People who live near the western ring road are happy with the arrival of this device”
What about the report of polluting vehicles which will have to avoid the West ring road?
This is an important point, which has been modeled by studies carried out by Toulouse Urban Planning and Development Agency (AUAT). There will indeed be a report, but it remains acceptable. I would add that the improvement of air quality in Toulouse does not imply a degradation in the neighboring municipalities, on the contrary. Moreover, all the mayors of the 37 cities of Toulouse Métropole are associated with the system and know all the surveys that refer to it. Everyone benefits across the country.
Penalties for violators
Regarding the sanctions, what are they and how will the controls be carried out?
Drivers of vehicles who do not comply with the terms of the ZFE are liable to a fine of 68 euros, increased in the absence of settlement. Checks throughout the territory are carried out by State services using cameras and a license plate identification system. This is a specific device of fixed cameras, which will be installed in strategic locations.
In addition, the State has clarified that the checks will begin in 2023. Until then, we will observe an educational period, then the municipal and national police will carry out the checks and issue the sanctions if necessary, until the State take over.