Air pollution kills around 400,000 people in Europe and around 3.7 million worldwide, data published by France's public health agency showed. Therefore, in a war on air pollution Paris have banned old cars which were registered before 1 January 1997 from the city's streets from Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Environmentalists hope this approach will also drive dirty vehicles from the centres of other European cities.
Some owners protested by parking their vehicles near the National Assembly and Champs Elysees avenue to denounce a ban they said would hurt poor people most and slash the resale value of their vehicles. One resident, Marc Martin, said "I drive 50km per week, I don't have the means to change vans so I will continue using it, I'll get fined every week... and if it goes too far I'll close my business, people will lose their jobs... this law is pathetic."
After an initial tolerance period, motorists who flout the ban face fines of €35, an amount which is set to increase from the end of the year.
Norway is adopting a similar approach and plans to ban petrol and diesel fuelled cars from 2025. Additionally, several cities in Europe are testing various anti-pollution or anti-congestion measures based on tolls for city centre access or temporary and selective car bans during surges in pollution levels.
