Crit'Air Sticker for Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) - UK Guide 2026
Updated 29 March 2026
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are classified as Crit’Air 1 in France. This is the second-best category and grants access to all current ZFE zones. You still need to apply for a sticker — it does not matter that your car can drive on electric power alone.
Check your Crit'Air category
How plug-in hybrids are classified
The Crit’Air system classifies vehicles by fuel type and Euro emission standard. Plug-in hybrids fall into a specific category:
| Vehicle type | Crit’Air category | Sticker colour |
|---|---|---|
| Fully electric (BEV) | 0 | Green |
| Hydrogen fuel cell | 0 | Green |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | 1 | Purple |
| Non-plug-in hybrid (HEV) | 1 | Purple |
| Petrol Euro 5–6 (2011+) | 1 | Purple |
All plug-in hybrids receive Crit’Air 1, regardless of:
- Whether the combustion engine is petrol or diesel
- The size of the battery
- The electric-only range
- The year of manufacture
Common PHEVs and their category
| Vehicle | Category |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Crit’Air 1 |
| BMW 330e / X5 xDrive45e | Crit’Air 1 |
| Mercedes GLC 300e | Crit’Air 1 |
| Volvo XC60 / XC90 Recharge | Crit’Air 1 |
| Hyundai Tucson PHEV | Crit’Air 1 |
| Kia Niro PHEV | Crit’Air 1 |
| MG HS PHEV | Crit’Air 1 |
| Range Rover P400e | Crit’Air 1 |
| Peugeot 3008 Hybrid | Crit’Air 1 |
Use the lookup tool above to confirm your specific vehicle.
The application confusion
When applying for a Crit’Air sticker, you need to specify the fuel type. This is where PHEV owners often get confused:
- Do not select “Electric” — that is for fully electric vehicles (Crit’Air 0)
- Do not select “Petrol” or “Diesel” — that would classify your car based on Euro standard alone
- Select “Hybrid” or the plug-in hybrid option — this ensures Crit’Air 1
When you apply through our service, we handle this automatically. Our DVLA lookup identifies your vehicle as a plug-in hybrid and selects the correct fuel type classification.
Benefits of Crit’Air 1
Crit’Air 1 vehicles are currently allowed in every active ZFE zone in France without restriction. Even during high-pollution episodes (pics de pollution), when additional restrictions may apply:
- Crit’Air 0 and 1 are almost never restricted during pollution spikes
- Higher categories (3, 4, 5) may face temporary driving bans during these episodes
- Your PHEV gives you maximum flexibility
Do I still need a sticker if driving on electric?
Yes. The Crit’Air sticker is required regardless of which mode your car is in. French enforcement does not distinguish between electric and hybrid driving modes — they check the sticker category.
Even if you are driving through a ZFE zone on pure electric power, you need the sticker on your windscreen. Without it, you face a fine of €68 — regardless of your actual emissions at that moment.