France is going to encourage the switch to electric driving with a new subsidy programme. Aimed at minima, the programme will allow them to lease an electric vehicle (EV) at a very low cost.
Buying an EV is not cheap; because in many cases the vehicles are relatively new and have a high new-vehicle price, EVs are also relatively high purchase prices on the second-hand market. Subsidies are therefore available in several countries for the purchase of a (used) EV. In the Netherlands, for instance, individuals can get a subsidy of 2,950 euros on the purchase of a new EV. A subsidy of 2,000 euros is available for the purchase of a second-hand EV.
Purchase price of EV is relatively high
Despite this subsidy, the purchase price of an EV is still relatively high. For example, Dacia Spring Electric is currently available for around €20,000. By comparison, the cheapest new car available in the Netherlands is the Dacia Sandero for less than 17,000 euros. This example comes with a petrol engine.
Consequently, a common complaint is that EVs are mainly available to people with a wider purse, while people with limited income are left out. It would also mean that people with higher incomes benefit more from the subsidies the Dutch government makes available on EVs. At the same time, the cost of traditional vehicles is rising due to rising fuel costs, among other things.
France bets on cheap lease contracts
France, however, is taking a different tack. Rather than providing subsidies to lower the purchase price of an EV, the country is focusing on providing EVs through cheap lease contracts.
It specifically targets low-income French people. Thus, leasing contracts are available for people with an annual income of up to €15,400 who drive 8,400 kilometres or more a year. They can lease an EV from 54 euros a month. For this amount, they get a Citroën ë-C3 at their disposal.
Other models also available
Several other vehicles are also available cheaply through the leasing programme. The Citroën ë-C3 is followed by the Fiat 500 for 89 euros per month and Opel Corsa EV for 94 euros per month. French minima charge 99 euros per month for the Peugeot e-208, while an Opel Moka EV costs 119 euros. The Citroën e-C4 can be leased for 129 euros per month, the Jeep Avenger for 149 euros per month and Peugeot e-2008 for 149 euros per month.
What is striking about the list is that all the vehicles come from Stellantis, which includes 14 car brands in total: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Peugeot, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Vauxhall and Ram. Leapmotor will be added next year. Stellantis is a major player in the French car market with a 33% market share.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Goran Horvat via Pixabay
