The future of city centre low-emissions zones (LEZ) in France is in doubt.
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Eight cities volunteered to trial LEZs, but not all of them delivered their feasibility studies by the deadline of 13 July, and Nice withdrew from the programme last month. Among the criticisms of LEZs is that they discriminate against lower-paid workers who cannot afford the cleaner vehicles allowed into the zones. T&E’s French member FNE says financial assistance could be provided to lower-income drivers to keep the zones in a way that does not discriminate. The new French government is to review national clean air initiatives in the autumn, including LEZs.
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