Decree No. 0284 of December 1, 2024, published in the Official Journal, marked a turning point in the policy of support for electric vehicles in France. By removing the ecological bonus of 900 euros for electric quadricycles, the government has made a decision which raises questions not only economic, but also energy. What impact will this measure have on the energy transition and the adoption of less carbon-intensive modes of transport?
A refocused energy policy, but at what price?
The removal of the ecological bonus is part of a stated desire to better direct public aid towards vehicles having a significant impact on the decarbonization of transport. Electric quadricycles, although appreciated for their low carbon footprint, no longer seem to correspond to this strategy. According to the government, budgetary envelopes must primarily target family or long-range electric vehicles.
This logic may seem coherent at first glance: high-capacity cars often replace more polluting thermal vehicles, which maximizes energy savings. However, quadricycles like the Citroën Ami or the Mobilize Duo meet a specific need in an urban environment: short journeys, limited electricity consumption and minimal bulk. Removing them from the scope of aid could slow down the ecological transition in cities, where these small vehicles have established themselves as credible alternatives to thermal scooters and traditional cars..
A counterproductive measure for energy sobriety?
In a context where energy sobriety is becoming a national priority, the end of this aid could send a contradictory signal. Electric quadricycles consume very little electricity compared to conventional electric cars. In addition, their production requires fewer critical materials such as lithium, cobalt or nickel. Their exclusion from the ecological bonus therefore raises questions about the coherence of strategic choices in terms of energy resource management.
In terms of energy efficiency, these light vehicles could have become emblematic models of the transition to sustainable mobility. Their low speed and limited range make them ideal for intra-urban journeys, with an overall lower carbon footprint than larger electric vehicles.
A social and environmental impact that is difficult to ignore
The repercussions of this suppression are not only energetic. They also touch on social and economic issues. Electric quadricycles, accessible from 14 years old with an AM licenseoffer safe and ecological mobility to young people and city dwellers. The end of the bonus risks making these vehicles financially inaccessible for part of the population, in favor of thermal solutions that are often more polluting..
Experts also fear an increase in sales of thermal scooters or even a return to used cars with thermal engines. This could reverse progress made in recent years in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in urban centers.
Faced with this decision, several questions remain unanswered. Why not differentiate the aid according to the type of use or the energy profile of the vehicles? Electric quadricycles could have benefited from a specific incentive, reflecting their low environmental impact and their suitability for urban journeys.
Furthermore, manufacturers like Citroën or Renault, which are investing massively in this segment, will now have to rethink their strategy. Solutions such as attractive leasing offers or direct commercial discounts could compensate for the loss of this subsidy. But without clear support from public policies, the future of electric quadricycles appears uncertain.
