The environment and respect for ecology are central to the Mont Blanc Tunnel’s concerns.

On a daily basis, checks are carried out on the quality of the air inside and outside the tunnel.

Outside organizations are in charge of the daily check on pollution levels in the tunnel and along the access routes.

Air quality, dust concentration and noise are monitored by competent organizations from the two regions, in order to guarantee to the inhabitants of the two valleys and users of the tunnel that the limits set by European standards are being adhered to.

Transit of heavy vehicles classified in pollution category “Euro 0” (i.e., registered before 1st October 1993) is prohibited.

“Euro 1” vehicles (registered between 1st October 1993 and 30 September 1996) have to pay a higher toll than that applied to “Euro 2” vehicles (registered between 1st October 1996 and 30 September 2001) and to “Euro 3” vehicles (registered after 1st October 2001), that are fitted with more modern anti-pollution devices.

This commercial policy, together with the progressive renewal of Europe’s vehicle fleet, makes a concrete contribution to reducing pollution in the Tunnel and along the access routes: today, Euro 1 vehicles are only a very small percentage (about 1.1% of the lorries passing through the Mont Blanc Tunnel) while, before the closure in March 1999, that type of vehicle, together with the Euro 0 type, represented almost the whole of the vehicle fleet travelling along the route.