France will give a serious boost to electric cars in the next three years. Objective: 800,000 sales from 2027, according to the sector contract established on Sunday May 5 by the automobile industry with the government. The figure is impressive, but necessary to fully take the turn in the energy transition and reach the European deadline of 2035, which provides that 100% of new cars will then have to be electric.
Around 300,000 electric cars were sold in France in 2023, thus passing the milestone of one million 100% electric cars present in the territory. Added to hybrid vehicles, they constitute around a quarter of the market’s annual sales. To achieve the objective of 800,000 sales of 100% electric cars per year, it will therefore be necessary to multiply them by three, so that they reach 45% of the market share alone.
“We will maintain this policy, confirming the strategic choices that have been made, and will respond to the difficulties that may arise here or there, without changing course,” affirmed the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire. The government, the sector, but also the regions and unions must sign this 2023-2027 strategic plan on Monday morning, a version of which was published on Sunday. The sector contract also mentions an ambitious objective concerning vans, which are just beginning their transition. The sector plans to increase sales of 100% electric or hydrogen light utility vehicles sixfold by 2027, from 16,500 vehicles sold in 2022 to more than 100,000 by the end of 2027.
No increase in purchasing support
On the part of individuals, public authorities undertake to “continue support measures for the purchase and long-term rental of new zero-emission vehicles”, via the ecological bonus for the purchase or leasing of electric cars. . The amount of subsidies allocated to each vehicle will continue to be “adjusted” as the market grows, but the envelope of 1.5 billion euros devoted to these schemes in 2024 will not increase.
“The main challenge for achieving the set objectives concerns the accessibility of zero-emission vehicles to the greatest number of people”, however, underline the signatories of the contract, presenting a double challenge: “allowing those who can to acquire a zero-emission vehicle new issue, and create a second-hand electric vehicle market, still in its infancy. “The number 1 challenge for the industry therefore remains the same: being able to reduce costs to bring competitive vehicles to the market,” underlines Marc Mortureux for the Automotive Platform, which represents manufacturers and equipment manufacturers.
Electrics made in France
Another crucial issue: the production of these vehicles in France, underlined the Minister of the Economy. The objective stated by Emmanuel Macron is to produce at least two million electrified vehicles per year in the territory, by 2030. Some new models are already manufactured in France, such as the Renault 5 or the Peugeot 3008. To support manufacturers , the State is not planning new measures but will maintain the reduction in production taxes, or the “Automobile Future” support fund.
It will also promote analyzes of CO2 emissions by “life cycle” of the vehicle, which include manufacturing and transport, and therefore promote local production. But the creation of free zones for automobile production, requested by the sector, has not yet been granted. For these electric cars to be able to plug in, the State has also confirmed its objective of 400,000 charging points in 2030. At least half of large condominiums would also need to be pre-equipped with terminals by the end of 2027. .