“French Ecology Plan”
Macron announces e-car leasing for 100 euros
September 25, 2023, 9:49 p.m
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France wants to invest billions in preparing for the consequences of climate change and dealing with declining resources. The plan provides for the expansion of local transport as well as changes to heating. One million heat pumps are to be built every year.
French President Emmanuel Macron is promising a billion-dollar “French ecology plan”. The aim is to respond to climate change and its consequences, protect biodiversity and make do with limited resources, he said. An interim goal is to reduce France’s CO2 emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. A “green budget” calls for spending of 40 billion euros in the coming year alone.
As part of a major climate protection plan, France wants to make electric cars affordable for broad sections of the population. Starting next year, people with lower incomes will be able to lease electric car models starting at 100 euros per month. The offer should be limited to vehicles produced in Europe. The exact modalities are still being worked out. As Macron said, the number of electric cars produced in France should increase to one million vehicles annually by 2027.
In order to promote the switch from cars to public transport, France wants to set up rapid transit networks in 13 metropolitan areas, Macron announced. Such a regional rapid transit network was recently launched in the border city of Strasbourg.
In addition, France, like its neighboring country Germany, wants to move away from gas boilers for heating and switch to heat pumps. By 2027, one million heat pumps should be produced in France every year and 30,00 fitters should be trained, said the president. In addition to saving energy and water, it is also about technical innovations and a change in behavior among producers and consumers.