Bongo Fury

Humm haven't heard much about this so might rather relevant!
http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motorin ... ch-cities/

Good spot Geoff.

I'll be supporting the economy in good old Blighty.

Bob wrote:Good spot Geoff.

I'll be supporting the economy in good old Blighty.

Me too. Its not a few old campervans that are the problem

Thanks for that info. g8dhe, I'm thinking of taking the grandkids camping in France this summer so will look into it further.

Hi,

Does anyone know if it's just the three cities mentioned or if there are any others?

Thanks

Jane

At the moment just the ones mentioned , BUT there appears to be a lot of interest by other cities also outside of France as well are looking at ways curbing emissions, which could include this method.

Looks like there is now an English version of the page as well https://www.crit-air.fr/en.html

Thanks Geoff - really useful to know

Jane

It's very unclear how this will effect Bongos isn't it.

Some sections read that it's all about the specific EURO emissions standard and go on to provide dates for these. If this is the case I can't imagine any Bongo will get a disc.

Then they publish this PDF that says year OR emissions standard, which indicates a Bongo may get a 4 or 5 disc

Finally they say a vehicle running on gas will qualify for a 1 disc, not sure if they include an LPG converted petrol like mine in that list.

Maybe avoid France (or at least Paris and the 2 other cities on hoard so far) would be the answer.


I do however find the contrast between this and our own LEZ nonsense in London interesting. The French system just stops vehicles entering and can be changed to suit actual conditions, so if pollution is particularly bad they can make the restrictions tighter temporarily, whereas our LEZ system seems to be more geared to making money by charging money.

Don't like the thought that the wrong sticker and a GB reg no could make a vehicle a target for hate / keying etc. Think i'll avoid France!

I read in one of the right ups that vehicles not covered due to age or lack of emission data - Bongo's - fall under cat 6. But can't see anything definite on the main web site.

Ah haa: not good news;

" Old vehicles of all kinds cannot obtain the Vignette and have no permission to drive during the day ..."
So I guess Bongo's before 1996 are clearly OLD vehicles and I suspect the same will apply if the emission data isn't known ?
So you can only travel overnight 20:00-08:00 as I understand it.

It's bound to catch on, after all, there will be money to maker.

Frank

Sadly I think you are right.

Looks like the main cities will adopt.... but only the 3 for now... but as I always do when near.... get public transport or cycle in...
France is big enough not to need to visit some of the big cities and all the old Camping Car's (Campervans) out there... it won't be widespread...and then these will avoid anyway....
We are off to the South of France in July and using the Motorways and going nowhere near the cities....

Just read somewhere on the net, so I am checking, apparently if you hold a disabled persons card you are exempted.
Ian G.

Just an update on crit'air, i just applied for one for the bongo as i'm heading to lille for a night en route to uk. I have a 2.0 petrol, registered 1st june 2000, this is important as the requirements for going into the center of cities (not the suburbs) states that vehicles registered before the 1st of june 2000 will not be able to apply for one,
However, most of the crit'air zones depend on the poloution that day, so you dont always need a "vignette" (badge).

You should also be aware that there are companies operating on line that seem to be official that will charge you around 40 bucks for one, the reality is it should cost about 3 quid!!! BE CAREFUL.
Go directly to crit'air website and apply there, dont worry as it will come up in german or french, but you can change the language to english.
The other good news is for the petrol bongos (sorry oil burners). As a 2.0l petrol, we applied and when the question came up for the euro cat, after research we thought euro 3, so we put euro 3 and the website would say error you dont have the correct info. this is to do with the VIN number, Just put, UNKNOWN, and it will let you pass. After that they will decide on the category. As i said the good news is that we recieved ours after just 4 days (it can take weeks) and lo and behold they put us as euro 3. so lille here we come.
But be aware that in the center of cities affected, when they raise the poloution threat, that area will only be available to Euro E, 1 and 2. Soo there will be days that bongos cant go into the center of cities. Fear not as the rest of the city will normally be ok.
Also some major ring roads, motorways and carrage ways run through the external crit'air zones, but fear not because if you are just passing by on these roads, you will not require a vignette (badge).

I hope this info can help anyone who needs it. Safe travels