Paris revs up for potential diesel ban

Paris could soon ban diesel cars after the city won a court ruling against the European Commission’s decision to relax emissions laws.

The French capital, along with Madrid and Brussels, lodged the case against the Commission claiming the laws wouldn’t allow them to enact new clean air initiatives.

The General Court in Luxembourg sided with the three European capitals, stating that the Commission had overreached its authority by changing emissions laws.

The Commission had previously increased the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) allowed in emissions, to give carmakers longer to adapt to new tests introduced following the 2015 diesel emissions test scandal.

But the three cities argued the change would see greater levels of harmful air pollution, claiming the new standards weren’t tough enough on manufacturers and went against EU human rights laws.

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In a statement, the court said: “The General Court upholds the actions brought by the cities of Paris, Brussels and Madrid and annuls in part the Commission's regulations setting excessively high oxides of nitrogen emission limits for the tests for new light passenger and commercial vehicles.”

Paris already has restrictions in place to limit harmful air pollution, including a low emissions zone banning petrol and diesel cars registered before 1997 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays.

Since 2016, motorists in Paris and some other French cities are also required to display a clean air sticker on their windscreen to identify their vehicle’s emissions levels.

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The sticker, called a Crit’Air vignette, costs just €3 but failing to have one could see motorists hit with an on-the-spot fine of around £120.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, then make sure you check out the RAC’s complete guide to driving in France and stay on the right side of the law.

Copyright Press Association 2018. Motoring News articles do not reflect the RAC's views unless clearly stated.