Electromobility in France

The French Energy Transition for Green Growth Act (2015) aims to increase the share of renewable energy and sustainable mobility. Transport is a priority sector for the French government as it is responsible for 1/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions.

France has introduced an interesting mechanism aimed at the development of electromobility. Purchasers of new electric cars emitting the least CO2, receive subsidies of up to 6000 euros. This money does not constitute an additional burden for the state budget, as it comes from the so-called “ecological penalties” imposed on the owners of the most polluting cars.

From year to year, we can observe an increase in the level of these penalties, and in the case of vehicles emitting 134 g CO2/km, the penalty was increased from EUR 173 in 2017 to EUR 540 in 2018. It is worth noting that the current average standard is 130 g CO2/km. According to the new European Union standards, in 2021 the average CO2 emissions of new cars should not exceed 95 g/km. Additionally, in France, in the case of electric cars, owners can count on free registration of the vehicle, or tax reliefs in the case of companies – adds Joanna Jaroch-Pszeniczna.

In 2018, the bonus for the purchase of hybrid cars (emitting 21 – 60 g CO2/km) was abolished. On the other hand, a bonus for diesel/petrol replacement was introduced, which amounts to EUR 1,000. In addition to the bonus, this bonus will apply in the event that a gasoline vehicle from before 1997 or diesel from before 2001 is scrapped.

Another idea of the government to accelerate the development of electromobility is the increasing restrictions on the entry of vehicles into the city centre. More and more often cars have to have so-called Clean Air Certificates, confirming the level of CO2 emissions. Electric cars can not only run freely throughout the city, but also on days when entry into the city is limited due to air pollution. At the moment, more than 11.2 million such certificates have been issued in France. It is also worth recalling the announcements of the government, which wants to align the price of petrol and diesel fuel by 2021, in order to encourage drivers to give up the use of vehicles and technologies that pollute the air the most – concludes Joanna Jaroch-Pszeniczna.

According to the Ipsos survey, 35% of consumers are ready to buy an electric car, so public opinion is more and more in favour of this technology.

The international experience and plans for electromobility will be discussed in detail on 27th and 28th November in Sosnowiec during the International Automotive Business Meeting