The government initiative launched at the beginning of January to democratize access to electric cars is about to be abruptly interrupted. The cause ? A dazzling success, certainly miscalculated by the State.
This measure was deployed by the government as part of the strategy France Green Nation and aimed to make electric cars accessible to the most modest households. With a leasing offer capped at 100 euros per month, it was a success. A month after its implementation, the government was “forced” to shut down the system, due to enthusiasm which exceeded expectations.
A dazzling success and its consequences
The social leasing scheme was a form of affordable alternative to purchasing an electric vehicle. Most offers were capped at 100 euros per month (150 for the largest cars), or even 40 for the Renault Twingo. An attractive offer for people with limited means, especially since the system was accompanied by an additional subsidy. In fact, the government covered the first rent of the leasing (up to 13,000 euros). An initiative with a social aim, from which only households with a reference tax income of less than 15,400 euros could benefit, provided they ticked a few other boxes. Distance traveled in the professional context, distance from the workplace, etc.
According to initial estimates, this plan aimed to validate around 25,000 files over the year 2024. However, the 80,000 requests recorded in a few days led the government to reconsider it. An unexpected volume, which will have caused the device to simply shut down. In addition, car dealers had expressed their concerns about “ financial risk on resale values within three years, upon return of rental » of these vehicles.
An uncertain future
By decree, the State therefore chose to freeze orders from February 12. Is this the end of the system? If we are to believe Roland Lescure, Minister of Industry and Energy, not necessarily. On Sunday February 11, the latter announced on France 3 that the program could be reborn in a new form, but not before 2025. A postponement which would potentially coincide with the launch of new national electric models such as the Renault 5.
An interruption which is reminiscent of the difficulties encountered by the conversion bonus (or scrappage bonus) in 2020. We find more or less the same reasons behind this stop: budget allocated too low, demand higher than the supply and poorly measured impact on the automobile market. Which makes one wonder whether the government is really capable of supporting such initiatives and, above all, of anticipating them correctly.
Source : Clean Automotive
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