The government suddenly clamps down on social leasing

The first edition of “Social Leasing” consisted of strictly limited period promotional operations. A kind of “happy hour” that will make it possible for French people who cannot afford to drive an electric car – for a total of six weeks – for a monthly rent of between 100 and 150 euros.

On Monday, February 12, the government announced the closing of the sign die to this offer, which is the result of a commitment made by the President of the Republic during his 2022 election campaign. This semi-experimental system – without equivalent in France or abroad – is intended for long-term rental homes whose reference tax income per unit is less than 15,400 euros per year.

Beneficiaries were workers living at a distance of at least 15 kilometers from their place of work or forced to travel more than 8,000 kilometers per year for professional reasons. Thanks to the payment of a superbonus of 13,000 euros by the state, it became possible to drive behind the wheel of a compact model (for example, the Peugeot e208) for 100 euros per month for three years or a family car (Renault Megane E-). Tech Electric) for 150 euros, maintenance and insurance not included. Rent is halved compared to market rates for classic rental with option to purchase (LOA).

Very favorable access conditions

“With this first wave, we achieved our objectives and exceeded all our expectations,” Considers and welcomes the Presidency of the Republic, which ensures that half of the 100,000 vehicles purchased this year by French people eligible for lease will be electric. “The Symbolic Success of French Ecology”. A success that went against Bercy’s efforts to slow the progress of public finance.

The operation, which was theoretically limited to about 20,000 vehicles due to a lack of sufficiently cheap electric models, saw about 50,000 contracts registered within a few weeks. This trend can be explained by the very favorable conditions of access to social leasing.

The tidal wave was also fueled by the unprecedented scale of the number of files collected by manufacturers, who sometimes dramatically reduced the prices of their models. In the context of the trade war on the electric car market – but also their desire to enroll without delay in a possible limited-term leasing system – prompted them to make many of their vehicles accessible to this system.

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