Implementation of the Metropolitan Low Emission Zone (ZFE+) of Greater Lyon

As part of the obligations arising from the Climate and Resilience Law, the Metropolis of Lyon planned the extension of its Low Emission Mobility Zone (zFe-m), which became ZFE+ due to its inclusion in the national list of agglomerations concerned.

Explain was commissioned to carry out thecomplete socio-economic assessment of the system, in compliance with state regulatory requirements for travel regulation projects.

The mission mobilized a multidisciplinary approach, combining transport economics, environmental analysis and social expertise:

1. Analysis of the context and health issues
   • Diagnosis of local emissions of NOx and fine particles.
   • Identification of exposed populations and areas where regulatory thresholds are exceeded.
2. Economic and environmental assessment
   • Estimation of health and environmental benefits linked to the fall in emissions (monetary value of lives saved, reduction in hospitalizations).
   • Calculation of adaptation costs: vehicle renewal, impacts on households and businesses.
   • Analysis of the effects induced on traffic, energy consumption and urban logistics.
3. Equity analysis and social support
   • Identification of households and professionals vulnerable to measurement.
   • Study of assistance and compensation arrangements (grants, subsidies, progressive calendar).
4. Synthesis and screenwriting
   • Comparison of several ZFE perimeters and implementation schedules.
   • Calculation of the benefit/cost ratio and socio-economic efficiency indicators.

The evaluation made it possible toobjectifying political trade-offs by demonstrating the environmental relevance of the system, while documenting its economic and social impacts in a transparent manner.

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The aim of the study was to provide the Metropolis with decision support based on measurable and comparable data.
The main objectives were to:

• Quantifying the health and environmental benefits expected from ZFE+;
• Identify the adaptation costs for households and businesses;
• Evaluate redistributive impacts and territorial equity issues;
• Provide an analytical framework for dialogue between decision-makers and economic actors.

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The evaluation conducted by Explain allowed the Métropole de Lyon to better manage design and implementation of its ZFE+, by reconciling environmental ambition and social sustainability.The results helped to guide the aid mechanisms and to adjust the implementation schedule according to the adaptation capacities of the actors. The mission also strengthened the credibility and transparency of the public process, by promoting a rigorous and accessible evaluation.

Thanks to Explain, the Greater Lyon metropolitan area has real support on all aspects and at all stages of the implementation of the ZFE+: from the definition of the scenario to its concrete implementation, including the evaluation of the effects of the project, in order to arrive at a robust regulatory file.