Model range of Stellantis during the last funding waveImage: StellantisTo make EVs more accessible, the French government plans to launch the third funding wave of the social leasing programme as early as June, maintaining the quota of 50,000 leasing contracts, the same as with previous rounds. According to French media reports, this was initially planned for September but has been brought forward due to rising petrol and diesel costs. The aim is to enable low-income households to switch to EVs affordably as soon as possible.Additionally, France intends to introduce a new programme for middle-class high-mileage drivers, including carers, nurses, tradespeople, employees, and civil servants. From 2026, an additional 50,000 subsidised electric vehicles will be made available under this scheme. However, the exact funding conditions have yet to be announced.Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently outlined a series of energy policy measures in a televised address aimed at responding to current international challenges. The government’s objective is to shift multiple sectors away from dependence on imported oil and gas towards domestically generated electricity.In the transport sector, France intends to accelerate the transition to electric mobility, targeting two out of three new car registrations to be battery-electric by 2030.According to Lecornu, electric vehicles can also support household purchasing power, with average energy costs of around €2 to €3 per 100 kilometres, compared to roughly €11 for a diesel car. To avoid replacing reliance on imported fossil fuels with dependence on imported vehicles, the government aims for domestic manufacturers Renault and Stellantis to produce 400,000 electric cars annually by 2027, rising to one million units by 2030.France launched its first electric vehicle incentive scheme, “leasing social de voitures électriques,” in 2024, offering battery-electric cars for less than €200 per month with no upfront payment. As the name suggests, eligibility was limited to low-income households. The programme was fully subscribed within six weeks, with around 50,000 leasing contracts approved and funds quickly exhausted.A second funding round followed in September 2025, with monthly rates ranging from €95 to €195. On this occasion, it took just over three months to reach the target of 50,000 contracts.gouv.fr (French)
+17 others
