Electric car leasing, winter tyres, ‘malus’ system expanded: What will impact drivers in France in coming months?

The final months of the year will see a number of changes for drivers in France which affect both those looking for a new vehicle and those set to continue driving their current one, particularly if they live near a low-emissions zone or in a mountainous area. 

Electric car leasing returns 

The long-awaited return of the ‘social leasing’ programme for electric cars is coming. 

Applications for the scheme will open on September 30, and the government is hoping to see widespread success following all spaces being filled in 2024. 

Certain electric vehicles – a full list of expected eligible models can be found on the Capital website – can be leased from three to five years, with a potential subsidy of over €7,000 reducing the cost for households.

However, the scheme will be limited to those with a revenu fiscal de référence (household taxable income) of €16,300 per ‘part’. 

Additional eligibility requirements include how the car is used, such as for professional means or a commute of at least 15 km, and not having previously received the ‘bonus écologique’ grant.

The monthly cost of renting the car will be between €95 and €200 per month which is higher than the 2024 maximum (€150).

This year the scheme will be funded by ‘Energy Savings Certificates’, a mechanism that obliges energy suppliers to finance actions to reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. This means it does not need to be financed from the state budget.

Applications can be made via an official portal which will open from September 30, but dossiers can be prepared in advance for the application, proof of eligibility, the car you wish to lease, etc.

‘Malus’ system for new – and used – polluting cars expands 

The ‘malus’ system, an environmental penalty payable when a new or used vehicle is first registered in France, will see higher payments from the start of 2026. 

The starting level of the chargeable threshold will be reduced if purchasing a vehicle which emits 108g of CO² per km, as opposed to the current 113g limit. Conversely the penalty for the most polluting vehicles will increase, with a new cap of €80,000 (up from the current €70,000). 

The additional payment for ‘heavy’ cars will start from 1.5 tonnes as opposed to 1.6.

Vehicles produced after 2015 which meet the above thresholds will be subject to the malus levy if it has not yet been applied. It will be payable by the new purchaser. 

Low-emission zones set to remain until 2026

In June, the ‘simplification law’ was passed, which included an amendment aimed at ending France’s low-emission zones (Zones à faibles émissions, ZFEs). 

However, the law still needs to go through a joint MP and Senatorial commission to define certain elements, and the contentious nature of the ZFE-ruling means amendments are possible. 

The commission will not begin to look over the rules until the end of summer recess, and it is unlikely any changes will be made before then. 

For the time being therefore current ZFE restrictions will still apply. 

Winter tyre fines likely

Winter tyres will need to be used in certain communes from November 1. 

After several years of ‘warnings’, fines for using the wrong tyres were expected to begin last year, but a lack of time following the 2024 legislative elections delayed the official decree allowing for this. It is likely that fines will be issued this year for non-compliance. 

A map of the communes impacted will be published closer to the time.

Off-peak charging hours change for electric vehicles 

Incoming changes to electricity rates will change which hours are deemed as ‘off-peak’, affecting how households look to minimise the cost of charging their electric vehicle.

Currently, most contracts using off-peak and peak hours provide cheaper electricity in the evening. Accordingly this is when many electric vehicle users charge their vehicles. 

However, from November changes to the system mean afternoon slots are likely to see the lowest prices. 

Contract holders will be informed prior to November of the new rates, helping them plan in advance.