In a document just published, the government announces several objectives to reduce CO2 emissions. Among them, a very strong increase in sales of electric cars in France. Problem: the latter plans to significantly reduce purchasing aid, while sales are already at half mast.
Recognized for being generally cleaner than thermal cars, electric cars are increasingly being promoted by public authorities. The latter are thus multiplying initiatives to encourage motorists to opt for this enginein which great hopes are placed for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and thus respect the Paris agreements.
A particularly ambitious objective
It is in this context that the European Union announced that the sale of gasoline, diesel and hybrid cars would be strictly prohibited from 2035, in favor of all-electric cars. In the meantime, the CAFE regulation, aimed at achieving a CO2 average for new cars sold in Europe, encourages manufacturers to sell as many zero-emission (exhaust) vehicles as possible.
But that's not all, because now, it's the turn of the French government to speak out and announce its electrification objectives. In a document just published by the Ministry of Ecology entitled “planning a carbon-free France”, several figures are set out, which must be achieved as quickly as possible.
The government thus wants to reach the bar of 66% sales of electric cars in the territory by 2030, that is to say in just six years. An intermediate level before reaching 100% by 2035, in accordance with the wishes of Brussels. But suffice to say that it will not be easy to achieve this.
And for good reason, sales of electric cars are stagnating at best, and have even tended to decline in recent months. This is the case on a European scale but also in France, as recently confirmed by figures from the specialist firm AAA Data.
The market share of electric models fell in October, from 17 to just 15% compared to October 2023, while registrations fell by 18% compared to last year. Fortunately, a few models like the new Citroën ë-C3 have helped maintain the market.
Suffice to say that reaching a market share of 66% within six years is therefore particularly ambitious. Because the latter increases on average by 1% per year, and around fifty years would be necessary to achieve this objective if nothing is done. And this is precisely where this poses a problem, because the situation is quite paradoxical. The government wants to increase sales of electric cars, but at the same time plans to reduce purchasing aidand in particular the ecological bonus of 4,000 euros.
Also develop the rolling stock
In fact, the latter should increase to only 3,000 euros from 1is next January, but that's not all. Because social leasing, which will be renewed, could also be modified, with fewer applications accepted than in 2024. This could considerably slow down sales of electric cars, since we know that motorists still find this engine too expensive. These little nudges are therefore essential to boost sales.
Another figure to reach in 2030: 15% electric cars in the fleet. Here again, this would be far from obvious: as the site indicates Clean Automotivethis figure was only 2.2% at the start of 2024.
Not easy, therefore, since motorists keep their cars for a very long time (the average age of the French car fleet was 9.8 years in 2022)… and that the State could also end the conversion bonus from 2025, aiming to reward owners for scrapping their old thermal cars for an electric car.
In the rest of the objectives, the government also wants to focus on public transport, particularly rail and carpooling. Biofuels are also at the heart of the ambitions of the State, which wants increase their use by 40% by 2030 compared to 2019.
Finally, regarding hydrogen, it is considered a “second-tier” alternative to electric cars. A good thing, since this engine is not free of defects, as we had already explained a little earlier.
