Electric car Crit'Air sticker: still mandatory in 2025?
18. Juli 2025
)
Electric car Crit'Air sticker: still mandatory in 2025
Just bought a Tesla Model 3 or a Renault Mégane E-Tech electric? You might be thinking: “An electric car that emits no pollutants doesn’t need a sticker, right?” Think again. Even 100% electric, your silent vehicle must display its green Crit'Air sticker on the windshield.And the recent parliamentary vote on scrapping ZFEs doesn’t change that. On the contrary, with all the confusion around low-emission zones, it’s better to stay compliant. Here’s everything you need to know: why this requirement still exists, how to get your green certificate, and most importantly, the real benefits it brings for unrestricted driving.
Crit'Air sticker: created in 2017 before ZFEs
Introduced before low-emission zones
Contrary to popular belief, the Crit'Air sticker wasn’t created alongside ZFEs. This air quality certificate was introduced in 2017, well before low-emission mobility zones became a hot topic. The idea was simple: create a visual system to quickly identify a vehicle’s pollution level.The Ministry of the Environment established six categories, from cleanest to most polluting. A simple color code that allows law enforcement and automated systems to sort vehicles at a glance in urban traffic.
Six pollution levels
Vehicles are classified based on actual emissions:
Crit'Air 0 (green): reserved for 100% electric and hydrogen vehicles
Crit'Air 1 (purple): Euro 5 and 6 petrol, plug-in hybrids
Crit'Air 2 (yellow): Euro 4 petrol, Euro 5 and 6 diesel
Crit'Air 3 (orange): Euro 2 and 3 petrol, Euro 4 diesel
Crit'Air 4 (burgundy): Euro 3 diesel
Crit'Air 5 (grey): Euro 2 diesel
Electric cars? Instantly placed in the elite with their distinctive green sticker. A privilege that comes with total freedom to drive in all cities, regardless of restrictions.
Electric vehicle: Crit'Air sticker mandatory in 2025
A surprising requirement
It’s the paradox that puzzles many drivers: why on earth does a zero-emission electric vehicle need an anti-pollution sticker? Administrative logic sometimes defies reason… But in this case, the requirement is fully justified.First, from a practical standpoint: it’s impossible for an officer to tell if your SUV is a Tesla Model Y or a diesel just by looking at the body. The green Crit'Air 0 sticker immediately clears up any doubt about your car’s engine.
A uniform system
For the system to work, all vehicles must comply—petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric. No exceptions, even for the cleanest. That’s the only way to keep checks simple and effective across France. Especially since the sticker remains mandatory in two major cases:
In existing ZFEs: Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and about 40 other zones
During pollution peaks: when the prefect activates restricted traffic
And let’s be honest: at €3.81 for the entire life of your electric vehicle, it’s hardly a budget breaker.
Good to knowThe May 28, 2025 vote did not eliminate low-emission zones. MPs adopted an amendment in that direction, but 623 other amendments remain to be reviewed. The Senate still has to weigh in, and the Constitutional Council could strike it down. In short: nothing is settled, and current rules still apply.
Crit'Air 0: benefits for electric drivers
The urban all-access pass
With your green Crit'Air 0 sticker, you hold the holy grail of urban driving. No more stress about restrictions—just total freedom! In low-emission zones, your electric car can drive without limits:
Paris? Open to you, even if you’re not a resident
Greater Lyon? Accessible 24/7
Grenoble and the Alps? No restrictions
The 43 affected metro areas? Free circulation everywhere
While Crit'Air 3, 4, and 5 vehicles are stuck at the city gates, you cruise calmly to your destination. A privilege that becomes even more valuable as some cities plan to tighten restrictions on polluting cars.
Immunity during pollution peaks
It’s summer, 35°C, and fine particle pollution is soaring? The prefect enforces restricted traffic? No worries. Your Crit'Air 0 sticker guarantees total immunity. While others stay home or cram into public transport, you keep driving your electric vehicle in peace.That peace of mind is priceless—especially as air quality alerts become more frequent with climate change. In 2024, several major cities activated this system for over 15 days.
City-specific bonuses
Beyond just being allowed to drive, some cities roll out the red carpet for electric cars:
Free or discounted parking (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux…)
Access to bus lanes in some metro areas
Reserved parking near city centers
Local incentives for buying an electric vehicle
You could recoup your €3.81 sticker cost in just a few hours of free parking!
How to get your Crit'Air sticker: €3.81 online
5-minute online process
Getting your sticker? A breeze for electric vehicle drivers. Here’s how:
Step 1: Gather your documents
Vehicle registration certificate (carte grise) with updated address
A bank card to pay the €3.81
Step 2: Go to the official website
Visit www.certificat-air.gouv.fr (and nowhere else!)
Service available in French, English, and German
Step 3: Fill out the form
Enter your license plate number
Make sure the address matches your registration
Confirm your vehicle details
Step 4: Pay online
Flat rate: €3.81 all-inclusive
Secure payment by bank card
Step 5: Receive your sticker
Email confirmation within 4 hours
Invoice and temporary copy within 24 hours (printable)
Physical sticker in your mailbox within 10 days
Good to knowBeware of scam websites charging extra fees! The only official site is www.certificat-air.gouv.fr. The price is always €3.81—no more. If your registration isn’t up to date, update your address first on the ANTS website.
Pollution peaks: restricted traffic still applies
A permanent system
Even if ZFEs were to disappear (which is far from certain), restricted traffic during pollution peaks would still apply. This emergency measure allows prefects to limit traffic when air quality dangerously deteriorates in urban areas.How does it work in practice? When alert thresholds are exceeded (fine particles, ozone, nitrogen dioxide), the prefect may decide:
Level 1: only Crit'Air 0, 1, and 2 vehicles may circulate
Level 2: only Crit'Air 0 and 1
Level 3 (exceptional): alternate-day driving based on license plates
With your Crit'Air 0, you’re covered in all scenarios. Other drivers? They anxiously monitor weather reports and prefectural announcements about pollution levels.
Deterrent fines
Driving without a sticker or with an unauthorized one means risking a €68 fine. And contrary to popular belief, checks are increasing:
Automated cameras in some areas
Increased roadside checks during pollution peaks
Fines issued for parked vehicles in affected zones
Not to mention that not having a certificate can complicate unexpected trips. Imagine needing to cross Lyon urgently on a pollution alert day. Without a sticker, it’s either a guaranteed fine or a major detour—even in an electric vehicle.
ZFE vote May 2025: sticker still required
Electra’s editorial take
The May 28 vote by MPs made headlines. ZFE repeal passed with 98 votes to 51! Enough to confuse drivers. But beware of jumping to conclusions. This vote is just one step in a long legislative process, and nothing is set in stone.First, the facts: MPs adopted an amendment as part of the economic simplification bill. But 623 amendments remain to be reviewed. The bill still has to go through the Senate and possibly the Constitutional Council. In short: the road ahead is long for all vehicle types.
Three possible scenarios
Scenario 1: Repeal is confirmed: Cities could maintain ZFEs through municipal decrees. Paris has already announced its intention to do so. Result: your sticker remains essential for driving.
Scenario 2: The Constitutional Council strikes it down: Back to square one. National ZFEs continue, and so does your certificate. Restrictions on polluting vehicles remain in place.
Scenario 3: Crit'Air system overhaul: Some are calling for a revision that includes vehicle weight or energy consumption. Your Crit'Air 0 would likely remain at the top.
In any case, it’s better to have your sticker than to bet on a hypothetical repeal that may never happen. EV purchase incentives and traffic restrictions are still in effect.
Electric with Electra: freedom to drive anywhere
Electric + Crit'Air 0 = total freedom
Choosing electric in 2025 means choosing freedom. With your Crit'Air 0 sticker and the Electra network, you have everything you need for hassle-free mobility. No more checking restrictions before every trip into town, or stressing during pollution alerts.At Electra, we support that freedom with:
Over 300 fast-charging stations across France
Strategic locations in urban areas
An intuitive app to locate and reserve your charger
Minimum 150 kW to recharge your EV in 20 minutes
Prepare for the future with peace of mind
Whether ZFEs survive or not, one thing is certain: the shift to cleaner mobility will continue. Cities are looking for ways to improve air quality and reduce emissions, and electric vehicles will remain favored. Your Crit'Air 0 is therefore a future-proof investment.Especially since new regulations may emerge:
Ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ) with stricter rules
Urban tolls based on sticker category
Tax benefits linked to Crit'Air
With your electric car and green sticker, you’re ready for any scenario. While others worry about future restrictions in cities, you’re already enjoying unlimited mobility thanks to your environmental certificate.
Key takeaways
The Crit'Air sticker remains mandatory for all vehicles—including electric ones. Despite the ZFE debate, nothing has changed: the zones still exist, and restricted traffic during pollution peaks is still enforced. At just €3.81 for the entire life of your EV, it’s the ultimate peace-of-mind investment.Order your sticker now from the official website, stick it on your windshield, and drive worry-free. With your Crit'Air 0 and Electra charging stations at your fingertips, you’ve chosen total freedom. The freedom to drive anywhere, anytime, without restrictions in any French city.And that, vote or no vote, is priceless.
Find and book your Electra charging stations easily with our iPhone app or Android app, designed for fast and stress-free EV charging.
Written by Nicolas – Electric mobility expert at Electra