The French government plans to relaunch its social leasing programme for electric cars earlier than scheduled, as rising petrol and diesel prices push efforts to make electric mobility more affordable.
The next round of the scheme is now expected to begin as early as June, instead of September, with a target of 50,000 leasing contracts—similar to previous phases. The programme is aimed at helping low-income households switch to electric vehicles at lower monthly costs, Electrive reported.
Alongside this, the government is preparing a separate subsidy scheme for middle-income groups who are not eligible under the social leasing programme. The new plan, expected to roll out from 2026, will target high-mileage users such as healthcare workers, tradespeople, and public sector employees, with another 50,000 subsidised electric vehicles.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu outlined the measures as part of a broader energy strategy to reduce dependence on imported oil and gas and shift towards domestically generated electricity.
The government aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, targeting two out of every three new car registrations to be battery-electric by 2030. Officials said EVs can significantly lower running costs, with energy expenses estimated at €2–€3 per 100 km compared to about €11 for diesel vehicles.
To support domestic manufacturing, the plan also calls for companies such as Renault and Stellantis to scale up production to 400,000 electric vehicles annually by 2027 and one million by 2030.
France first launched its social leasing scheme in 2024, offering electric cars for under €200 per month without upfront payment for low-income households. The initial phase saw strong demand, with 50,000 contracts taken up within weeks, followed by a second round in 2025 that was also fully subscribed within a few months.
