Multiply sales by three in just four years: the automobile industry and the government are reaffirming their confidence in this energy transition, by preparing for the European deadline of 2035, when 100% of new cars must be electric.
If this market slowed its growth in Europe at the start of 2024, France is giving itself three years to reach 800,000 sales, at the end of 2027.
This objective almost amounts to tripling sales in four years and reaching 45% market share. Nearly 300,000 electric cars will be sold in 2023.
“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,” underlined the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire during a conference call. .
“The challenges are considerable. On the industry side, the question is no longer whether we go there or not (…) We need long-term support in return,” underlined Marc Mortureux for the Automotive Platform, who represents manufacturers and equipment manufacturers.
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.
Utilities also affected
The sector contract also mentions an ambitious objective concerning vans, which are just beginning their transition.
The sector plans to multiply sales of 100% electric or hydrogen light utility vehicles by 6 by 2027, to go from 16,500 vehicles sold in 2022 to more than 100,000 at the end of 2027.
To meet the objectives, 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 main challenge in achieving the set objectives concerns the accessibility of zero-emission vehicles to as many people as possible,” underline the signatories of the contract, presenting a double challenge: “allowing those who can to acquire a zero-emission vehicle new, and create a second-hand electric vehicle market, still in its infancy.
The amount of subsidies allocated to each vehicle should, however, continue to be “adjusted” as the market grows, since the envelope of 1.5 billion euros devoted to these devices in 2024 will not increase.
“This is the number one challenge for the industry: we must be able to reduce costs to put competitive vehicles on the market,” underlined Marc Mortureux at the PFA.
Vehicles produced in France
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.
It is also a question of “ensuring that these electric vehicles are produced in France”, underlined Bruno Le Maire, reaffirming the objective announced by Emmanuel Macron of producing two million “electrified” cars (electric and hybrid) in 2030. .
Among the many new electric models arriving on the market, a few are manufactured in France, such as the Renault 5 or the Peugeot 3008.
To support businesses in France, the State is committed to supporting existing measures, such as the reduction in production taxes, or the Avenir automobile 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, was not granted.
