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The ten most expensive motorways in France

A new study has shone a light on which stretches of motorway in France cost the most per kilometre.

The ten most expensive motorways in France
Photo: AFP
If you've driven on a French motorway, you've almost certainly been hit by the tolls. Some are just a few euros, while others can be eye-wateringly expensive. 
 
On Thursday, Internaute.com released its annual study into the most expensive motorways, taking into account the changes in prices that kicked in on February 1st.
 
The most expensive – by far – was the A14 from Paris to Orgeval (to the west of Paris) at a whopping 52 centimes per kilometre. This is more than three times as costly as the second placed motorway. 
 
The motorway that runs from the La Défense business district on the western edge of Paris is just 15.6 kilometres long, but depending on the time of the day can cost up to €8.30 at peak times. 
 
At its cheapest the motorway is just €1.50, however.
 
The second most expensive is a much longer highway at 140 kilometres, connecting Langon and Pau in south western France. The ride costs motorists €23.30 in total. 
 
The third priciest was the motorway connecting Sens and Artenay in central France, a 130-kilometre motorway that costs €19.90 – or 15.3 cents per kilometre. 
 
The group reports that tolls rose in France by 1.12 percent compared to last year, and by 16.4 percent over the last ten years.
 
Here is the full top ten
 
1. A14 Paris-Orgeval : (52 centimes/km)
2, A19 Sens-Artenay : (15.1 centimes/km)
3. A65 Langon-Pau (14.8 centimes/km)
4. A86 Super périphérique parisien (13.29 centimes/km)
5. A43 Lyon-Modane-Tunnel du Fréjus (12.90 centimes/km)
6. A43 Lyon-Tunnel du Fréjus (12.75 centimes/km)
7. A40 Mâcon-Tunnel du Mont-Blanc (10.84 centimes/km)
8. A11 Paris Ponthévrard-Nantes (10.61 centimes/km)
9. A8 Coudoux-Italie (10.35 centimes/km)
10. A85 Angers-Vierzon (10.29 centimes/km)

 
 
 

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Denmark signals support for zero-emissions zones in cities

A new proposal presented by the government on Wednesday could give local authorities the ability to designate zero-emissions zones in cities.

Denmark signals support for zero-emissions zones in cities
Parking spaces at a charging point in Aalborg. The sign reads "reserved for electric cars". File photo: Henning Bagger/Ritzau Scanpix

The zones would only allow access to vehicles without combustion engines, such as electric cars.

Wednesday’s government proposal states that there is already demand at municipalities for zero-emissions zones in set parts of cities in order to reduce air and noise pollution.

The government said it wants to accommodate that demand while still enabling people to live, move around and shop in the zones.

“The government will therefore look closely at whether affected residents and businesses in the area have realistic alternatives and that there would be time to meet the criteria,” the government writes in the proposal.

“A framework must also be set to ensure access for necessary use of industrial vehicles, including delivery of goods,” it adds.

A long period of transition would be required in municipalities that decide to take up the option of establishing the zones, according to interest groups for the automotive industry.

Goods vehicles could be amongst those to face the largest obstacles in such a situation, as the range on zero emissions goods vehicles on the market is limited, according to the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI).

“That means it would be difficult to ensure supply to cities where the requirement for zero emissions might be effective,” DI’s CEO Lars Sandahl Sørensen said via written comment.

The association for car importers in Denmark, De Danske Bilimportører, said that the zones would be difficult to implement without a long phasing-in.

“The proposal for zero emissions zones in particular is very far reaching and can hardly be implemented without a long phasing in period, as the range of electric and hydrogen cars with sufficient range should be greater,” the organization’s CEO Mads Rørvig said in a statement.

FDM, an association for motorists in Denmark, went further in its criticism of the plan.

“It’s far too early and disproportionate to have zero-emissions zones that would exclude 98 percent of Danish motorists,” FDM senior consultant Dennis Lange said in a written comment.

“This is a symbolic policy which will have no measurable effect on pollution,” he added.

READ ALSO: Lower Danish taxes backed for home electric car charging

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