Promised by Emmanuel Macron during his campaign, the possibility of renting a car for 100 euros per month is more difficult to set up than expected.
Remember, that was only a few weeks ago. While Emmanuel Macron was in the middle of the presidential campaign, in order to ensure his re-election for a new mandate, he announced an unprecedented measure for motorists: the establishment by the government of social leasing, allowing rent an electric car for only 100 euros per month. An enticing promise, at a time when the noose is tightening on thermal vehicles and when the French are rushing towards trendy models. But while the president is now re-elected, where are we today on this issue?
Not before September 2022
It seems that the government finally needs a little more time than expected. Questioned by our colleagues from France Info, the Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher gave some information about this measure, which is not “ not for now“. She explains that ” we must now associate all the stakeholders to build a proposal that is the most suitable“.
The Minister also stresses that in order to make this system operational as soon as it is implemented, it is first necessary to ” unite the sector” , as well as ” the financiers“. For her, this new state-insured credit won’t be ready until next September. In addition, the question of funding also arises. According to Agnès Pannier-Runacher, approximately 100,000 people should benefit from this measure, i.e. a total of 50 million euros, with a ” contribution of 500 euros that the State could make to the scheme“.
The Minister did not specify whether this aid of 500 euros was intended for one year or for the entire duration of the rental. Nor did it indicate the conditions and in particular the duration of the rental or the obligation, or not, to scrap a vehicle, to operate the scrapping bonus. So many unknown elements that prevent us from getting a more precise idea of the real impact of this device on household wallets.
? Promise of E. Macron to rent electric cars for €100 per month ➡️ “It’s not for now”, recognizes Agnès Pannier-Runacher. “There are two issues: having the vehicles and we have production concerns.”
? https://t.co/cEwi3c61QM pic.twitter.com/cUhA6XMWMa
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) June 2, 2022
Several barriers
Indeed, as our colleagues from Les Echos point out, it is still necessary to find a viable model, avoiding that the beneficiary has to pay the first installment of the rental, which sometimes represents several thousand euros. The best solution therefore remains for the State to take care of it. But another difficulty arises, that of convincing manufacturers, at a time when most are already experiencing numerous delays in deliveries, due to the semiconductor crisis. A spokesperson for a brand, quoted by Les Echos, asserted that ” in the current context, it is not certain that it is in our interest to adhere to the system… »
Due to supply difficulties, and manufacturers’ reduced supply of affordable electric vehicles, it may be more difficult to have access to entry-level models, which are more likely to be favored by the beneficiaries of this social leasing. Suffice to say that it will be necessary to be patient to hope to be able to take advantage of this device, which will obviously not be for everyone, but above all ” to the French who need it the most as the minister explained.
Who can benefit from this leasing?
If the criteria still remain to be defined by the government, the Minister for the Ecological Transition already mentions two categories of beneficiaries “ who seem indisputable: those for whom the vehicle is a work tool“. She quotes in particular: liberal nurses” , as well as ” those who cannot afford to switch to a clean vehicle because it is too expensive on the market today“.
Since July 1, 2021, the rules concerning the ecological bonus have changed. If the latter is still relevant today, all the indicators indicate that in a few years, it should be reviewed many times…
Read more
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You can read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.