Clotilde Dumay 09:23, May 23, 2023

Low emission zones (LEZs), where the most polluting vehicles are banned, are taking place in some metropolises. A real hassle for craftsmen. Two out of ten employers own one of these vehicles prohibited in EPZs. 41% of them therefore plan to give up markets in these sectors altogether.

Inflation, the cost of energy, sometimes the lack of manpower... And now, another problem for business leaders: low-emission zones, also known as EPZs. They are gradually being implemented in 11 French cities to ban the most polluting vehicles.

They currently concern two out of ten managers surveyed by the Confederation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. And of those, 41% are considering giving up markets in these areas. The cause: a schedule too tight and costs too high to renew their car fleet.

"We rather fall back on the great suburbs"

In the courtyard of a property located in Vanves, Antony Hadjipanayotou stores his tools. The plumber-heating engineer is no longer used to working near Paris. "We rather fall back on the big suburbs. In Paris, for us, it becomes almost impossible to work, to park," explains the professional.

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And soon, it will be complicated to drive: vehicles with Crit'air 3 vignette, built before 2011 for diesel and before 2006 for gasoline, should be banned next year in the capital. The plumber-heating engineer of Vanves, he still has three.

"They're fifteen, but it's rolling. If we want vehicles a little larger like us, it can go up to 90,000 euros for an electric vehicle, "laments the plumber-heating engineer. Two of its vehicles already run on natural gas, but the professional also regrets the insufficient offer of manufacturers, which extends delivery times.