There are now more than a million electric cars on the road in France. A symbolic milestone that the country should have crossed in 2022, knowing that sales will have to accelerate if the government wants to keep its climate commitments.
Speaking of electric cars, the year 2023 could be summed up by the different milestones reached in the field. In France, we remember that in May, the milestone of 100,000 charging stations was exceeded. An objective that the government had to achieve before the summer, which it succeeded in doing. The latest figures of theAvere-Francethe National Association for the Development of Electric Mobility, show that as of December 31, 2023, the country has exactly 1,108,605 electric cars in circulation. Above the symbolic mark of 1 million.
But this positive assessment is quickly tarnished as soon as we put it into perspective. There is 38 million vehicles currently rolling. Electrics only represent 2.5%. Especially since France is late : according to the strategic contract signed by the automobile industry and the State in 2018, the million should have been recorded at the end of 2022. Knowing that Europe has announced the end of sales of new thermal vehicles in 2035, we will have to accelerate the pace, and it will not be easy.
There are now more than a million electric cars circulating in France
In 2023, registrations of electric cars will count for 16.8% of the total market. The government estimates that they will move to 20%, or more, in 2024. For his part, the General Secretariat for Ecological Planning (SGPE) projects annual sales: 500,000 in 2025, then 1 million in 2029. If France wants to keep its climate commitments, 15% of private cars in circulation in 2030 will have to be electric.
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To encourage purchasing, more and more models are offered under the “psychological” price of €25,000 excluding ecological bonus, like the Renault R5, the Citroën ë-C3 or even a future Tesla model produced in Europe. This last choice is not trivial, since the ecological bonus changes in 2024 and to benefit from it, foreign manufacturers will have to produce in France. The government should also lower the final amount of the subsidy, which is not intended to boost sales. According to AAA Data analysis, only 41% of electric models will be eligible this yearagainst 80% in 2023. It remains to be seen whether the leasing offer at €100 per month will compensate for this.
Source: Les Echos