Starting on August 13th, Geneva authorities are limiting traffic due to a dangerous combination of heatwave and pollution that impacts the air quality in the Swiss city and canton.
After several days of intense heat and sunshine, ozone concentrations in the air over Geneva have exceeded regulatory thresholds, bringing the alert level to 2 out of 3.
In order to prevent the air quality from worsening, city authorities have activated, for the first time since 2020, the anti-pollution car sticker system, StickAIR.
What is it?
Unique in Switzerland – although common in other European cities – Geneva introduced this system in 2020, banning highly polluting vehicles from driving in the centre of the city in the event of a smog alert.
Coloured stickers must be affixed to each automobile’s windshield to indicate its environmental performance.
Costing 5 francs, they can be purchased online here, or at garages and service stations with the canton of Geneva, or at the canton offices. Those who buy their stickers online can use the confirmation email as proof of purchase in the event they are stopped by police during a pollution alert.
Green (0) is reserved for electric vehicles or those running on hydrogen, which are the most environmentally friendly.
Next (from least to most offensive to the environment) are purple (1), yellow (2), orange (3), and brown (4).
At the other end of the scale, the grey colour (5) indicates the least ecological cars, which are prohibited from the city centre in the event of heightened air pollution.
The emission code on the car’s registration card determines the colour of the sticker.
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What is the situation now?
Starting on August 13th between 6am and 10pm, only vehicles with a Stick’AIR 0, 1, 2, or 3 will be allowed to drive within the affected area, which covers almost the entire city of Geneva as well as parts of Carouge, Cologny, Lancy, and Vernier.
The green on this map indicates the area that is off limits to polluting cars:
Canton of Geneva
The most polluting vehicles, classified in categories 4 and 5, are prohibited from entering the area until further notice. Vehicles which do not have the sticker (or proof of purchase of one) are also banned from entry.
Violators could be slapped with a fine of up to 500 francs.
Also in an effort to counteract the effects of heat-driven air pollution, the speed limit of 80 km/h is introduced on the Geneva bypass motorway.
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What about drivers coming from France?
Over 230,000 cross-border commuters from neighbouring French regions come to work in Geneva each day, the vast majority by car.
For them, the equivalent French Crit’Air stickers are accepted.
How can polluters travel to, and within, Geneva until the alert is lifted?
They can take public transport, which will be free throughout zone 10 of Unireso.
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When will the alert be lifted?
Geneva’s anti-smog measures may be renewed or expanded, depending on how the pollution peak develops.
They will be lifted when the air quality situation returns to normal, likely once the heatwave is over.
You can sign up for email alerts or use to Air2G2 app to receive alerts about alerts being imposed or lifted.
