The French Government has officially launched its 2025 social leasing programme, enabling low-income households to access electric vehicles (EVs) at significantly reduced costs.
Yesterday, Clément Molizon, General Delegate of Avere-France, confirmed that the initiative had already generated “several hundred thousand” requests for information from interested households.
Clément Molizon, General Delegate of Avere-France.
“This demonstrates the appeal of electric mobility. Once vehicles become affordable, interest extends to the most modest families,” Molizon stressed.
The scheme, financed by the French State, aims to deploy 50,000 EVs through long-term rental agreements.
It offers monthly leases starting from 140euros and capped at 200euros, including taxes but excluding additional services.
The measure addresses one of the main barriers to adoption: upfront purchase prices.
By subsidising 27% of the total cost (including VAT), with a ceiling of 7,000euros, the Government intends to make battery-powered cars an attainable option for those who otherwise would not consider them.
How the programme works
Eligible citizens can access a long-term lease contract of at least three years.
The annual mileage allowance is set at a minimum of 12,000 kilometres, with no extra fees for standard usage.
At the end of the contract, drivers may either return the vehicle or purchase it at its residual value.
The intention is not only to expand the fleet of electric vehicles but also to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in households where commuting costs often weigh most heavily on family budgets.
Who qualifies for social leasing?
Eligibility criteria focus on fiscal income and professional mobility needs. To benefit, applicants must:
Have a reference tax income per unit equal to or below 16,300euros.
Meet one of two conditions:
Prove a commute of at least 15 kilometres each way using a private car, or
Travel a minimum of 8,000 kilometres annually for professional purposes with a personal vehicle.
Supporting documents such as employer attestations or sworn statements are required.
These criteria ensure that the programme targets households with limited financial means but significant transport requirements, aligning with the dual social and environmental objectives of the initiative.
A surge of public interest
According to the first responses reported by manufacturers, demand has been overwhelming, far surpassing expectations. Hundreds of thousands of enquiries were recorded within hours of the official launch.
Industry observers note that the volume of applications illustrates the pent-up demand for electric vehicles when affordability barriers are lifted. This could become a test case for similar initiatives in other European markets where price remains a deterrent to mass adoption.
On 5 November, Data Modul will host a web seminar on HMI solutions for EV charging stations — a must-attend event for manufacturers seeking to innovate and optimise their products.
Public charging remains fragmented and reimbursing employees for home charging is often slow and error-prone. However, fleets using Rightcharge can reduce charging costs by up to 90%.
