The French government will open the third funding round of its subsidized electric vehicle leasing program on July 16, expanding access for lower-income commuters as part of its strategy to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric vehicles.
The initiative, known as “leasing social de voitures électriques,” enables eligible drivers to lease electric cars at reduced monthly rates through government-backed subsidies.
To qualify, applicants must have a taxable reference income of no more than €16,880 and either commute more than 10 kilometers each day by private vehicle or drive at least 8,000 kilometers annually for work using their own car.
The latest eligibility requirements are slightly more flexible than those applied during the previous funding round in late 2025, when the income limit was €16,300 and the minimum daily commute was 15 kilometers.
Government Targets 50,000 Electric Vehicle Leases
As in the previous two rounds, the French government aims to support the leasing of 50,000 battery-electric vehicles.
Monthly lease payments are capped at €200, with no upfront payment or security deposit required. Lease agreements run for three years and include an annual mileage allowance of 15,000 kilometers.
Actual lease prices vary depending on the vehicle selected. During the previous program, monthly payments ranged from €95 to €195.
Several manufacturers have already confirmed offers for the new funding round.
Citroën will offer the ë-C3 from €94 per month, while Renault has priced the electric Twingo from €130 per month and the Renault 5 from €139 per month, depending on the chosen version.
Peugeot will provide the E-208, E-2008, and E-308 from €149 per month. Volkswagen is also participating with leasing offers covering the ID. Polo, ID.3 Neo, ID.3, and ID.4, although detailed pricing will only be available after customers select a participating French dealership.
Subsidies Favor European-Made Vehicles
The low leasing costs are supported by government incentives covering 29% of a vehicle’s purchase price, up to €6,500 per vehicle.
The subsidy can increase to €9,000 if both the vehicle and its battery are manufactured within the European Economic Area (EEA). An additional €500 incentive is available when the electric motor is also produced within the EEA.
As in previous funding rounds, the program’s environmental eligibility criteria effectively exclude most electric vehicles manufactured in China. Rather than applying restrictions based on a vehicle’s country of origin, eligibility depends on meeting a maximum lifecycle carbon footprint threshold that takes manufacturing and transportation emissions into account. In practice, many China-built models are unlikely to qualify under those requirements.
