France launches financial support for second-hand electric vehicle purchases
France has introduced financial support for households purchasing or leasing second-hand electric vehicles, the government announced this week. The scheme will provide aid of up to €2,360 for used electric cars first registered between 2017 and 2023, with the program running for four years from September 1, 2026 through September 2030.
The initiative comes as France continues to strengthen its position as one of Europe's leading electric vehicle markets. Electric vehicle sales surged 55% in the first five months of 2026, reaching 185,714 registrations compared to 119,475 over the same period in 2025, with EVs now accounting for 27.8% of all new passenger car registrations. In July 2026, France achieved a record 35% battery-electric vehicle market share with 44,378 registrations, representing the highest monthly share ever recorded in any major European market.
How the aid scheme works
The program is funded through certificats d'économies d'énergie (Energy Savings Certificates, CEE), a mechanism established by the POPE law in July 2005 that requires major fuel and energy suppliers to fund energy-saving actions to meet government ecological targets. Dealerships will handle obtaining the certificates for purchases, meaning buyers do not need to apply separately.
Under current rules, households will receive approximately €337 in standard support, though this amount could increase over time as CEE values fluctuate. The scheme offers significantly higher support for certain workers, including home-care staff and personal service workers, who can benefit from multiplier coefficients bringing the maximum aid to between €2,000 and €2,360 for vehicles costing €25,000 or less.
To qualify for the aid, vehicles must be purchased from authorized dealerships or professional sellers, have their original battery providing at least 80% of the original driving range or a minimum of 200km, and be kept for at least three years. Unlike other CEE-based programs, the aid amount is determined by vehicle specifications rather than household income levels.
Broader government support for electric mobility
The second-hand vehicle aid complements France's ongoing social leasing program, which has already enabled 100,000 low-income households to lease electric vehicles across two previous rounds in 2024 and 2025, with subsidies ranging from €7,000 to €13,000 per vehicle. The third round of social leasing opened on July 16, 2026, offering government subsidies covering 29% of vehicle purchase prices up to €6,500, rising to €9,000 if both the vehicle and battery are manufactured within the European Economic Area.
Since mid-2025, France has transitioned from fixed subsidy amounts to linking support levels with fluctuating CEE market prices. Based on current market conditions in 2026, subsidies for new electric vehicles can reach up to €5,700 for low-income households, €4,700 for middle-income households, and €3,500 for other households.
The government has also announced separate support of up to €5,500 for taxi drivers who order new electric vehicles produced in Europe using European batteries.
France is now one of the three largest electric vehicle markets in Europe alongside Germany and the UK, with over 2 million battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in circulation by late 2025. The Renault 5 E-Tech has become France's best-selling electric car since arriving in showrooms in October 2024, with a starting price of €20,680 including government grants.
The continued expansion of EV support programs comes as the European Union adjusted its 2035 emissions targets in December 2025, shifting from a complete combustion engine ban to a 90% CO2 reduction requirement, allowing continued sales of some non-electric vehicles including plug-in hybrids.
