France will end its nationwide exemption from vehicle registration fees for electric vehicles starting 1 May, with only the northern region of Hauts-de-France expected to retain the incentive. The tax break, introduced in 2020 to boost electric vehicle adoption, was always intended as a five-year measure and is now being phased out under the revised 2025 finance law.
Regional authorities had until 30 April to decide whether to maintain the exemption. According to French news outlet Connexion, EV registration fees could now reach as high as €750, depending on the region and vehicle specifications. The change brings electric vehicles in line with petrol and diesel cars in terms of registration taxes, significantly raising the cost of ownership for some models.
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Under France’s vehicle registration system, the largest portion of the cost comes from a regional tax based on vehicle power, calculated in steps rather than a linear scale. Each region sets its own rate, with a legal cap of €60 per step. For example, Brittany sets a rate of €60 per unit, meaning a vehicle in tax band three—such as a Renault Twingo E-Tech—would cost €180 to register. In Corsica, where the base rate is €43, the same car would incur a €129 fee.
Electric vehicles, particularly those with dual-motor or high-output drivetrains, often register higher power figures than combustion engine cars, which could see many models pushed into more expensive tax brackets.
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With the policy shift, the cost of registering an EV could rise substantially, potentially impacting the market for higher-performance electric cars.
The Hauts-de-France region remains an exception, where the current rate of €36.30 per step will continue to apply without an exemption phase-out.