France expands social leasing scheme to make electric cars affordable for low-income households

France has introduced a social leasing initiative that allows qualifying low-income families to rent used electric cars for about €140 to €200 each month, with contracts lasting a minimum of three years. Eligibility requires an income ceiling and either a commute longer than 10 km or at least 8,000 business kilometres per year. The scheme, now in its third consecutive year, is praised for reversing the typical high-upfront cost of electric vehicles, giving households immediate benefits from low-energy consumption.

Economists note that while the programme is a rare example of strong environmental support, its scale remains limited relative to the total number of cars in the country. Researchers warn that without a substantial increase in such measures, many low-income households may still struggle to afford electric mobility as prices stay high.