France

France is keen on electric motoring, with a raft of perks — from free parking to breezing through low‑emission zones. To make it all watertight, France uses special stickers, traffic signs and add‑on plates. The star of the show is the Crit’Air sticker, which governs every environmental zone — and opens doors for EVs.

Crit’Air sticker for EVs

The Crit’Air sticker is mandatory for all vehicles in France — yes, even electric ones. It controls access to low‑emission zones and can be ordered online.

Heads‑up: some websites add hefty fees — the official price is only €4.21.

Here’s the official French government page:

Apply for a Crit’Air sticker from the French government (in French, German and English)

Signs that matter for EVs

France doesn’t have standalone EV‑only road signs, but it does use supplementary plates, road markings and clear rules at charge points and in low‑emission zones.

You’ll most often spot these:

Supplementary plate “Sauf véhicules électriques en charge” (EVs while charging only)

You’ll find this plate at public charge points. Parking is allowed only during active charging. If you’re not charging — or you’ve finished — it’s time to move on.

Tip: some cities check digitally whether your car is actually drawing power. Hogging a bay without charging can get expensive.

Dedicated bays with road markings and a pictogram (plug or lightning bolt)

Charging bays are often painted green or blue and marked with an EV symbol on the tarmac. You’ll often see a no‑parking sign (crossed‑out P) with an extra plate reading “Sauf véhicules électriques en charge”.

No parking except for EVs while charging

At public on‑street charge points you’ll often see a no‑parking sign plus the plate “Sauf véhicules électriques en charge”. The rule is simple: only vehicles that are charging may stay.

Reserved lanes with a diamond symbol

On some main roads — for example around Lyon or Lille — there are carpool (Covoiturage) lanes normally reserved for vehicles with multiple occupants. Exception: vehicles with a Crit’Air 0 sticker (pure electric) may use these lanes solo.

Charge point wayfinding signs

Signs with a plug icon indicate there’s a charge point nearby.

Note: these are purely informative — they don’t grant parking rights.

Free parking and other perks

In France, local councils decide how to favour EVs. Some go to town:

Low‑emission zones and stickers

France runs a clear system: the Crit’Air vignette. There are six colours by emissions class. EVs get the green Crit’Air 0 sticker — the top tier.

Important: the Crit’Air sticker is also mandatory for foreign vehicles — you can order it online:

Apply for a Crit’Air sticker (in French, German and English)

Supplementary sign “Air pollution” or “Circulation différenciée”

When pollution spikes, French cities can restrict traffic by sticker class. This is known as “circulation différenciée”.