This was one of the main events promised by Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the World Cup in Paris last October, and even in general during his presidential campaign that took place a few months earlier.

The most symbolic component of these incentives was offer to rent an electric car for 100 euros per monthmeans-tested, for the humblest of households.

Helping the less fortunate

This announcement is part of a series of anticipated events help the French switch to an electric carbeyond the most privileged segments of the population, for whom electric cars are currently reserved due to their price, even if it tends to decrease with the future arrival of new models announced as more affordable, such as the upcoming electric R5, which will start from 25,000 euros, without taking into account bonuses, or even the next ID.1 and ID.2 from Volkswagen, the starting price of which will be less than 20,000 and 25,000 euros, respectively.

Since Emmanuel Macron’s statement in October 2022, the government has had other delicate issues. But Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne has just announced some news.

The government will launch “autumn” electric car rental offer “affordable price” low-income households promised by the President of the Republic. This measure is also part of the “hundred days” road map announced by the Head of State in connection with the publication of the pension reform.

Will the offer really be 100 euros per month, as advertised?

However, there are several questions about this The prime minister did not remember the amount of rent that was initially mentioned, in this case 100 euros every month. A rent that seems particularly difficult to maintain, as even the cheapest Dacia Spring electric car on public assistance can’t get by with such low monthly payments.

The Climate Action Network noted earlier this year that the system would ” impossible to create without subsidizing foreign cars because French manufacturers do not produce small cars that are affordable and electric. »

During an off-the-record interview with the head of the Renault brand on the occasion of the Austral press launch last year, the latter told us that he had indeed had several meetings with certain members and heads of the executive about the implementation of this demonstration. At the time, both parties were deep in thought, and the whole complexity of the equation seemed to revolve around that famous €100 a month rent, which is very difficult to obtain without multiple tax infusions from the government.

Then the presidential candidate’s team explained that the plan would be targeted at least 100,000 electric vehicles for leasing per year. It remains to be seen which vehicles will be affected? Renault Zoé at the “end of the cycle” due to the appearance of the new electric R5? Dacia Springs? Answer within a few months.