What to remember about the “social leasing” system

The figures for registrations for the “social leasing” formula, which allows you to rent an electric car for 100 euros per month, were expected. is the device “success” Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Bechu, welcomed on Friday January 19, TF1. Since its launch in December 2023, more than 90,000 people have already requested to take advantage of the electric car in this regard, the minister announced, and the first vehicle was delivered on Thursday.

The promise of candidate Emmanuel Macron in 2022, the The gestation of this device was long and complicated. even though “success” Project implementation, which depends on consensus between the state, banks and producers to guarantee its economic viability, preserve industrial sovereignty and adapt to market realities, is a delicate equation, claimed Mr Bechu.

What is social leasing?

The social leasing formula, available since early January, allows less affluent families to lease an electric car for at least three years – 100 euros per month for a city car, 150 euros for a family car – with an option to buy. This social offer is open to presenting families Reference tax revenue less than 15,400 euros per unit. For the moment, it is reserved for “heavy riders”, ie those who can justify a journey of more than 8,000 kilometres.

per year by car, or live more than 15 kilometers from their workplace. For each vehicle, the state covers the initial contribution paid to the rental company, up to 13,000 euros.

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What is the goal?

By expanding the base of decarbonized vehicles, the measure aims to green the French automobile fleet, in a country where transport is still the leading sector emitting greenhouse gases (32% in 2022). While the average price of an electric vehicle in Europe reached 65,000 euros in the first half of 2023, the system goes against the trend of increasing prices, according to consultancy JATO Dynamics. Helping low-income families get behind the wheel of an electric car makes it possible to democratize the use of these vehicles that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.

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But even a 100-euro-per-month car wants to favor European-made vehicles, which have a better carbon footprint. “The goal is to help you buy electric vehicles made here”Emmanuel Macron declared Video broadcast On December 14, 2023.

Where is the device?

total, “91,000 people” Interest has been expressed in electric cars at a rate of 100 euros per month on government platforms put into service between December 14, 2023 and January 4, the Ministry of Ecological Transition detailed on Friday. If it is not certain that these approximately 91,000 people meet the social criteria, that they do not actually go to the dealership, the number of files for which credit is approved remains below this request. In fact, only 25,000 subsidized vehicles are available this year.

The government is there to satisfy as many demands as possible “currently working” with car manufacturers “To see if we can build 30,000, 35,000, 40,000 vehicles.”, assured Christophe Bechu on TF1. According to him, it is not “The Budget Question”. The mobilization component of the 2024 finance bill shows a credit amount of 13.3 billion euros for 2024, which is 13% higher than in 2023. Of this overall envelope, about 200 million will be used to green the automobile fleet, especially thanks to social leasing, but also with conversion bonuses.

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What are the limitations of social leasing?

Despite the desire to make electric vehicles accessible to as many French people as possible, social leasing risks having a limited impact on the automobile market, given the few cheap models suitable for this rental of 100 euros per month. Most manufacturers, including Renault and Citroen, have in recent years focused on producing high-end cars such as the Peugeot E-208 or Renault Zoe, priced above 30,000 euros, which generate better margins.

As for the more affordable new products, which have so far been a low priority, they are facing scheduling problems. Citroën ë-C3 (23,000 euros) and Renault R5 (a little over 25,000 euros) will not be available until mid-2024 or even before the end of the year, while Twingo (20,000 euros), which should be called “Legend”. ”, should be released in 2025.

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In addition, the cheapest models are often of Chinese origin, and therefore cannot claim the new ecological bonus allocated according to the carbon footprint and thus favor “Made in Europe”. This is the case with the Dacia spring, although it is one of the least expensive on the market.

With the disappearance of the Ministry of Energy Transition, announced on January 11 with a new executive and while Bercy has recovered the energy portfolio, the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions – of which social leasing is part – may also face a shift in energy policy. issues

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The world with AFP