Paris to ban pre '97 cars?

[Jim Garfield]

File this under "How it began....." From Green Car Reports :

"For some, the image of a classic Citroën DS passing along the Champs-Élysées couldn't be much more French if a man in a stripy top and beret walked past swinging a chain of onions.

But soon, that image could be shattered as Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe is set to introduce plans that ban all pre-1997 carsfrom the city's streets, to curb pollution.

The plans have angered classic car fans, whose vehicles make up only 3 percent of the vehicles on Parisian roads--around 365,000 cars, according to Reuters.

It would take some of France's most distinctive vehicles off the streets, including iconic vehicles like the aforementioned Citroën DS, the 2CV, the Peugeot 205 GTI hot hatchback and the dependable Renault 4L--among dozens of others.

Others complain that it would prevent those who are simply unable to afford anything newer from driving around the city.

In 2010, Paris trialled a ban of gas-guzzling off-road vehicles from its streets.

The latest scheme has been described as "another hairbrained idea" to please ecologists and wealthy Parisians, by Claude Fauconnier, vice-president of the French Friends of the 2CV Club.

The mayor, whose previous initiatives have included Paris's bike-sharing scheme, Velib' (partner scheme of the Autolib' electric car sharing service), has been previously accused of turning the capital into a "playground for the rich".

Delanoe defends the move, which he says "is for our citizens - it's a public health battle and we've been fighting since 2001 to try and make the air here more breathable."

Several other cities around the world have introduced similar initiatives in recent years. The Emirate of Dubai has banned all cars older than 20 years from its roads to reduce pollution, while cars driving into the German city of Frankfurt have to meet a minimum European emissions standard.

If the Parisian proposal gains ministerial approval in January, it will come into force from 2014.

Will banning France's iconic classics from the capital city be the answer to Paris pollution? Or is the move simply a token gesture which will make things difficult for ordinary citizens?"

[Xavier PJB]

The Major of Paris has decided to engage a fight against cars for years.

Classic cars have a special status here : Vehicule de collection, meaning special treatment for vehicule aged by more than 30 years (registration, mandatory 5 years technical control is "lighter" than other cars, etc...)

Classics will always have the favour of people. If the fight against the "old" cars is successful, then we will be only driving on special events only and I will not be able to take mine just to go shopping...sad. (or pay a huge amount of taxes)

In the other hand, if we want to give the favor to new clean vehicules, the change must be forced to buy new clean cars... I would not worry much about the classic/iconic cars, I would if I had a pre 97 car and less than 30 years one.

More than 70% of the cars in Paris/suburb are pre 97 and less than 30 years.

The good things of it, is that we have a new fight to engage, and you know : frenchies love to say no :-)

Impossible n'est pas français.

[CidTito]

Does that include buses, trains, taxis? What about industrial equipment that makes products? What about printers, fax machines, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, carpets, airplanes, boats etc.... What about wine? Wouldn't they also remove all pre 97 wine from the streets of paris? Why pick on cars? What a stupid rule.

[Xavier PJB]

Does that include buses, trains, taxis? What about industrial equipment that makes products? What about printers, fax machines, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, carpets, airplanes, boats etc.... What about wine? Wouldn't they also remove all pre 97 wine from the streets of paris? Why pick on cars? What a stupid rule.

Indeed, stupid, but not yet approved....beleive me.

Xavier

[tfmcmahon]

The rules of economics aren`t in vogue today in Paris or even here in the US.All actions have consequences. http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogsp...paris-and.html

[PeterM1965]

Many German cities have an equally ridiculous scheme. You must display on your windshield a large circular sticker. They are color coded to the amount of emissions your car makes. Red for the highest, Yellow for middle, and Green for low emission vehicles. I believe that now cars with the Red stickers are banned from driving within the city centers, with Yellow being phased out shortly. It effectively bans diesels more than 5 or 6 years old from being in the city and gasoline cars that are older than early 2000s.

Maybe one of our German members can correct me on the numbers.

I found all this out when I was in Austria and wanted to drive to Stuttgart and visit the Porsche Museum. I had to stop at a dealer in Germany and they very nicely gave me a sticker for free otherwise ADAC sells them for a small fee.

So Paris is not the only city engaging in the silliness. If it can bring in revenue you can bet it will be coming to the US too in the not to distant future.

[Kris Clewell]

You must display on your windshield a large circular sticker. They are color coded to the amount of emissions your car makes. Red for the highest, Yellow for middle, and Green for low emission vehicles.

Its come down to shaming car owners then? Ridiculous.

[50/50]

Mon Dieu! What is next ,750ml carbonated sugar drinks?!

[skid jackson]

Mon Dieu! What is next ,750ml carbonated sugar drinks?!

and a red sticker on your fore head so all the world can know your a gluttonous pig killing mother earth one gulp at a time!!!

[Kris Clewell]

and a red sticker on your fore head so all the world can know your a gluttonous pig killing mother earth one gulp at a time!!!

lynch 'em!

Simpsons_torch_mob.jpg