During the election campaign, Emmanuel Macron had promised to set up a social leasing system to afford an electric vehicle for 100 euros per month. If he then mentioned an offer intended for the most modest households, we now know a little more about the future beneficiaries.
According to the Minister of Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher this Thursday, two categories of population are already “indisputable” to benefit from it: “Those for whom the vehicle is a work tool, I am thinking of liberal nurses for example , (…) and those who cannot afford to switch to a clean vehicle because it is too expensive on the market today”.
The opening date of the device still depends on meetings that the minister must conduct with the automotive sector, the financiers including the banks and the State which should take charge of part of the first rent or the initial financial contribution: “This is probably not for September, ”she warned on France Info.
Indeed, the implementation of such a measure is far from neutral. First of all, it is very expensive. Agnès Pannier-Runacher recalled that the first quick figures, carried out during the election campaign, assessed the need “in the order of 100,000 people” with an initial contribution from the State of 500 euros. Even if she moderated the thing by saying that it was “absolutely preliminary” work, it will be necessary to find more or less 50 million euros.
What about the initial premium payment for this lease?
Moreover, if this measure goes within the sense of decarbonization of the vehicle fleet desired by the government, it risks further destabilizing a car market in crisis, with sales which could return this year to 1975 levels. Currently, there are many small thermal cars on the market at less than 100 euros per car. month. However, generally many manufacturers rely on these categories of cars in quantity but which offer little margin to try to stay out of the water.
With the shortage of semiconductors which should still last, manufacturers are also seeking to favor the production of high-end vehicles on which they earn more money. If this leasing for electric cars is potentially a source for bringing in new customers. It is not certain that they are campaigning for this measure, especially as the waiting times for making deliveries on small vehicles are getting longer.
Another blocking point: to subscribe to a leasing, it is generally necessary to make an initial payment. And this is where the shoe pinches for low-income families who find it difficult to pay several thousand euros at the start. In the past, the bonus systems put in place ultimately benefited wealthier people who already had a car to scrap or those who could afford to buy the least polluting cars but also the most expensive.
Finally, this device, if it is put in place, risks favoring cars manufactured abroad. Apart from Renault’s Zoé, the other small cars available at this price are made in Italy, Slovakia or even in China for the Dacia Spring. And that would go against the government’s desire to favor “made in France”.