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
