France offers between €3,500 and €5,700 towards a new electric car depending on your household income. The grant is deducted at the dealership — you pay the reduced price and the dealer handles the rest.
If you are considering switching to an electric car in France, the timing is good. The government grant — now called the Coup de pouce Véhicule Particulier Électrique (CPVPE), though most people still call it the bonus écologique — was increased at the start of 2026 after three years of reductions. A lower-income household buying a qualifying electric car can now receive up to €5,700 off the purchase price, with an additional €1,000–€2,000 if the battery is made in Europe.
The grant is applied at the dealership — the price is simply reduced at the point of sale. You do not need to apply separately or wait for a reimbursement.
How Much Is the Grant?
The amount depends on your RFR per household share — your household reference income (from your Avis d'Impôt) divided by the number of tax shares your household has. For a full explanation of how the RFR works, see our RFR guide.
| RFR per household share | Grant amount |
|---|---|
| ≤ €16,300 | €5,700 |
| €16,301 – €26,300 | €4,700 |
| Above €26,300 | €3,500 |
Household shares work the same as for income tax:
- Single person: 1 share
- Married or PACS couple: 2 shares
- Add 0.5 per dependent child
So a married couple with no children and a combined RFR of €48,000 has an RFR per share of €24,000 — falling in the middle band and qualifying for €4,700.
The European battery bonus: An additional €1,200 to €2,000 is available if the vehicle is assembled in the EU and has a battery manufactured within the European Economic Area. This is on top of the main grant — so the maximum combined support for a lower-income household buying a European-made electric car is €7,700.
The RFR used is from your most recent Avis d'Impôt — for purchases in 2026, that means your 2024 RFR from your 2025 tax notice.
Which Cars Qualify?
Not all electric cars qualify. The vehicle must meet all four conditions:
1. 100% electric only Plug-in hybrids were removed from the scheme in July 2025. Only fully battery-electric vehicles qualify in 2026.
2. Price under €47,000 The purchase price (all options included, excluding registration fees) must be below €47,000. No grant is available above this threshold regardless of income.
3. Weight under 2.4 tonnes Most standard passenger cars comfortably meet this — it mainly affects larger SUVs.
4. Environmental score of at least 60 points This is the most important condition to check. France assesses each vehicle's total carbon footprint from production through delivery, and awards a score. Cars made in Europe generally score well. Cars manufactured in China and shipped to Europe are penalised and most no longer reach the 60-point threshold.
Practical impact: The Dacia Spring, one of the most affordable electric cars available in France, is assembled in China and no longer qualifies for the grant. The Renault 5 E-Tech, assembled in France, qualifies. Always check the qualifying vehicles list before visiting a dealership.
The official list of qualifying vehicles is maintained by ADEME and updated regularly. Check at ademe.fr or ask your dealer to confirm eligibility before you commit.
How the Grant Is Applied
The process is straightforward — simpler than MaPrimeRénov because there is no pre-approval step.
- Choose a qualifying vehicle — check the ADEME list to confirm the model qualifies and verify your income band
- Bring your Avis d'Impôt — the dealer needs to see your RFR to apply the correct grant level
- The grant is deducted from the purchase price — the dealer advances the money and recovers it from the energy savings certificate scheme. You simply pay the reduced price
- Keep the car for at least 12 months and drive at least 6,000 km — if you sell before these conditions are met, the grant may be clawed back
If your dealer is not part of the CPVPE scheme, you can apply directly through the Agence de Services et de Paiement (ASP) — but most main dealerships handle this automatically.
Social Leasing — For Lower-Income Households
For households with an RFR below approximately €16,300, France also offers a social leasing scheme — a subsidised lease on a qualifying electric car for around €140 per month.
Places are limited and allocated in annual batches. Check availability at leasing-electrique.gouv.fr — the scheme opens and closes depending on demand and available places.
Does the Grant Affect Your Tax Return?
No. The grant is deducted at the point of sale by the dealer and does not appear on your French tax return. It does not count as income and does not affect your RFR. Your RFR does determine your grant band — Taxpert can help you find yours quickly.
If you are also looking at home renovation, the same RFR figure determines your MaPrimeRénov band. See our French property renovation grants guide.
Common Mistakes
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Assuming your preferred model qualifies. The environmental score requirement rules out many models — particularly those assembled outside Europe. Always check the ADEME list before visiting a dealership.
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Forgetting the price cap applies to options. The €47,000 ceiling includes all options. A base model under €47,000 can tip over the threshold once options are added. Calculate the total price before assuming you qualify.
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Using the wrong RFR figure. The grant uses your RFR per household share — your total RFR divided by your number of tax shares. A couple with 2 shares and an RFR of €40,000 has an RFR per share of €20,000, not €40,000. Using the wrong figure could mean you claim the wrong band at the dealership.
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Selling the car too soon. You must keep the vehicle for at least 12 months and drive at least 6,000 km. Selling or transferring ownership before then can trigger a clawback of the grant.
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Assuming plug-in hybrids still qualify. They don't — plug-in hybrids were removed from the scheme in July 2025. Only 100% battery-electric vehicles are eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can UK expats claim the French electric car grant?
Yes — provided you are a French tax resident who files a French return and you purchase the vehicle in France. The grant is available to all residents regardless of nationality. You will need your most recent Avis d'Impôt to confirm your income band at the dealership.
Does the grant apply to used electric cars?
No. The grant applies only to new electric vehicles. There is no equivalent scheme for second-hand electric cars in 2026.
Can I get the grant if I lease rather than buy?
Yes — the grant applies to both purchases and leases (including personal contract hire). The grant is applied to the first payment or capitalised cost, reducing your monthly payments. Confirm the details with the leasing company before signing.
What is the environmental score and how do I check it?
The environmental score assesses a vehicle's total carbon footprint from manufacturing through delivery to France. It is calculated by ADEME. Vehicles scoring 60 points or above qualify. The list of qualifying vehicles is published on the ADEME website and updated regularly — check before visiting any dealership.
My car is assembled in Europe but the battery is made in Asia — do I get the European battery bonus?
No. The additional €1,000–€2,000 European battery bonus requires both the vehicle to be assembled in the EU and the battery to be manufactured within the European Economic Area. If either condition is not met, the bonus does not apply — though the main grant still does if the vehicle meets the other eligibility criteria.
I bought an electric car last year. Can I still claim?
If you purchased after 1 July 2025 under the new CEE scheme, the grant should have been applied at the dealership. If it wasn't, contact the Agence de Services et de Paiement (ASP) — you may still be able to claim retrospectively within the allowed timeframe.
Official resources:
- Qualifying vehicles list: ademe.fr
- Social leasing scheme: leasing-electrique.gouv.fr
- Direct claim (if dealer doesn't advance): asp-public.fr