France unveils its (ambitious) objective for 2030

France wanted to set a course for the automobile industry. In a document entitled “ Planning a carbon-free France », the Ministry of Ecological Transition delivers its national low-carbon strategy (SNBC) and its electric car sales objective for 2030.

Two thirds of sales for electric cars by 2030?

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, unveiled a roadmap of around twenty pages for “ decarbonize France “. An ambitious goal, but necessary. It is obviously a question of future developments in the automobile industry. The electrification of the fleet is at the heart of the subject and France's expectations are high.

Indeed, the government has set a target for electric car sales of 66% by 2030. An intermediate step before the total end of thermal power in 2035 in Europe. Although the idea is pleasing, the target to be achieved seems very distant. Indeed, from January to October 2024, electric sales only represented 17% of total new car sales in France, compared to 16% last year.

Progress is slow and the market is experiencing difficulties. The European Commission has started a trade war against China which could well slow down electrification in our country. This protectionist strategy will delay the arrival of affordable electric vehicles. But it doesn't matter. The Ministry of Ecological Transition is confident. The year 2025 could well be decisive.

And 15% of the rolling stock…

The government also announced another objective: electric cars must represent 15% of the vehicle fleet in France by 2030. They were only 2.2% at the start of 2024. The road will be long, but why not. “ Transport represents 32% of greenhouse gas emissions. They constitute a third of the problem but also a third of the solution », Specifies François Durovray, Minister of Transport.

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Alongside electric cars, France wants to focus on biofuels. In its document, the ministry says it wants “ increase their use by 40% by 2030 compared to 2019 “. It is a question of land transport but also air and sea transport. That leaves hydrogen, an option that the government sees as an alternative to “ second rang » to battery electric vehicles.