Tens of thousands sign up for French electric car leasing scheme
The French government has been flooded with applications from low-income households to lease a subsidised electric car from €100 a month, Environment Minister Christophe Béchu said on Friday.
President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the plan on social media in December as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in France.
Some 90,000 people have applied to the scheme since the start of the month, Béchu said, whereas the government had only planned to subsidise the rental of 25,000 electric vehicles this year.
Paris was working with car makers to see if the initial figure could be increased to 35,000 or 40,000 cars, the minister said.
The key for the first car was handed over on Thursday, he added.
Conditions to apply include being a French resident (although it is not necessary to be a French citizen) not exceeding a certain taxable income, needing a car to get to a job more than 15km away from home, and driving at least 8,000 km per year for work, according to the leasing platform.
READ ALSO How to apply for France's electric car leasing scheme
People who meet these criteria can rent an electric car made in France or elsewhere in Europe for €100 to €150 a month depending on size for three years, then renew the subscription once.
The government pays subsidies of up to €13,000 for each car.
Comments
See Also
President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the plan on social media in December as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in France.
Some 90,000 people have applied to the scheme since the start of the month, Béchu said, whereas the government had only planned to subsidise the rental of 25,000 electric vehicles this year.
Paris was working with car makers to see if the initial figure could be increased to 35,000 or 40,000 cars, the minister said.
The key for the first car was handed over on Thursday, he added.
Conditions to apply include being a French resident (although it is not necessary to be a French citizen) not exceeding a certain taxable income, needing a car to get to a job more than 15km away from home, and driving at least 8,000 km per year for work, according to the leasing platform.
READ ALSO How to apply for France's electric car leasing scheme
People who meet these criteria can rent an electric car made in France or elsewhere in Europe for €100 to €150 a month depending on size for three years, then renew the subscription once.
The government pays subsidies of up to €13,000 for each car.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.