Paris has rolled out a new car-sharing lane on its infamous ring road, the “periph”, in a bid to ease congestion and cut pollution. The move, tested during the 2024 Olympics, has the backing of the Socialist-led city hall but has sparked criticism from right-wing politicians.

Now, the leftmost and fastest lane is off-limits to solo drivers during rush hours. Only vehicles with at least two passengers, along with public transport, taxis, emergency vehicles, and those with reduced mobility, can use it. Trucks, however, are not included.

This change comes after the city already lowered the speed limit from 70 km/h to 50 km/h in October, hoping to curb emissions. Deputy Mayor David Belliard pointed out that 80% of drivers on the ring road are alone in their cars, and the goal is to get more people carpooling. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Dan Lert highlighted the health risks for the half a million residents living nearby, who suffer from higher pollution levels and increased asthma cases in children.

The lane is clearly marked with white diamond signs and runs during peak hours on weekdays. AI-powered cameras will catch violators, and warnings will flash on road signs before police review the footage. Starting May 1, rule-breakers will face a Euro 135 fine.

While the city is investing Euro 7 million to expand the scheme, critics fear it will worsen traffic jams. Regional leader Valerie Pecresse is demanding a full review within three months to determine whether the policy should continue.