France’s relaunched social leasing scheme for electric cars has once again drawn strong public interest, with 41,500 applications submitted just four weeks after opening, according to government data. The programme, capped at 50,000 applications, is expected to reach its limit soon, prompting authorities to prepare a waiting list for potential cancellations or ineligible entries.
The initiative, officially known as “leasing social de voitures électriques”, provides subsidised leases to make electric vehicles more affordable for lower-income households. Its first edition, launched in early 2024, saw similar enthusiasm, closing within six weeks after hitting around 50,000 approved leases. The latest round, which began at the end of September, has followed the same trajectory, underscoring growing public demand for budget-friendly EV options.
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The government said the waiting list will allow dealers to continue accepting orders beyond the 50,000-application cap. Applicants on the list will be contacted if earlier applications are cancelled or deemed ineligible. More than 35,000 submissions were made in the first week alone, reflecting strong anticipation following the programme’s announcement in July.
About 30 models are available under the scheme, including the Citroën ë-C3, Fiat Panda, and Hyundai Inster, which can be leased for under €100 per month. Other participating models include Volkswagen’s ID.3 and ID.4, and Renault’s R5, R4, and Mégane E-Tech. The government provides significant subsidies to manufacturers to enable the low monthly rates.
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Eligibility is limited to households with at least one employed individual, a reference tax income below €16,300 per person, and a minimum commute of 15 kilometres to work or 8,000 kilometres annually for professional use. The programme is designed to support part-time workers, single parents, and those reliant on vehicles for daily commuting.