The electricity market is accustomed to side effects in terms of prices. If manufacturers fueled the price war during last winter, ecological leasing had largely contributed to destabilizing the segment with rents sometimes lower than 100 euros per month.
The commercial battle led by new Chinese entrants like MG, and relayed in particular by the American Tesla or the Japanese Toyota, could well experience a new episode in the coming weeks. In question, the entry into force of the CAFE indicators. A new level is expected on January 1st. The objective will be to lower average CO2 emissions to 81 g/km per manufacturer, i.e. a reduced quota of 15%.
Double electric vehicle sales
To reach such a threshold calculated on all VN sales, manufacturers will have no other choice than to sell one electric vehicle for four thermal vehicles, recalled Jean-Philippe Imparato, director of Stellantis Europe, this fall. A wall denounced by Luca de Meo, director of Renault Group.
Because if reality questions observers, it also questions manufacturers. The electric penetration rate currently hovers around 12%. And the outlook is not very favorable given the reduction in purchasing aid in France, after Germany. The opportunity to note that the future social leasing should not come into force before the second half of the year.
Rents from 79 euros!
For manufacturers committed to the democratization of electric vehicles through models costing 20,000 euros, sales prices will be at the heart of the debates next year. Depending on the applicable bonuses and contributions, the Leapmotor T03 is already available at 79 euros per month thanks to a promotion from the manufacturer until December 31. The Citroën ë-C3, for its part, has a starting price of 19,300 euros. Fiat for its part is doubling the ecological bonus on the 500th!
The commercial strategy benefits from the use of LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) batteries and favorable raw material prices. Remember that the average price of an electric vehicle today is still 42,000 euros.
Residual values once again at the heart of the debates
Therefore, while waiting for the arrival of the micro-city cars expected from Volkswagen and Renault with the Twingo E-Tech, it is undeniable that residual values will be used. They represent in fact the only real parameter for achieving an attractive headline rent. With the risk once again of exposing distributors to inconsistent resale values when buy-backs return. A situation which today leads Stellantis to financially support the resale of used electric models.
The problem of resale values of BEVs also affects the whole of Europe. The subject was highlighted during the European Automotive Dealer Summit, organized by Auto Infos this fall.
But for manufacturers, it seems obvious that the strategy consisting of increasing LOA offers on new electric vehicles will cost less than risking heavy fines from Brussels. From the clearance sale to the price war, the waltz of labels is already scheduled.
