Vehicles in the second phase of the electrification plan
New measures in favor of electric vehicles were announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, as part of the second phase of France’s electrification plan. They relate to charging services for both individuals and businesses, as well as financial support for purchasing a wide range of vehicles. Most of these measures will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Light commercial vehicles for small and medium-sized enterprises
With measure 3, the government hopes to encourage the adoption of 20,000 electric light commercial vehicles by very small to medium-sized businesses, especially those in the construction sector. Combined with the subsidy introduced at the beginning of June last year, the support could reach 11,000 euros for models assembled in Europe. To ensure the success of this measure, the government has secured commitments from manufacturers to be able to supply such quantities as well as a charter outlining guidelines for rental prices.
To support this push to develop electric utility vehicles for craftsmen, Measure 5 allows them to be driven with a Class B license up to a total authorized gross weight of 4.25 tonnes, compared to 3.5 tonnes before. This is intended to offset the loss in payload due to the extra weight from traction batteries, which could amount to 200 kg compared to a similar diesel model.
By raising this weight limit, this new measure turns a disadvantage into an advantage, making electric vehicles more attractive to craftsmen who need to transport heavy materials, equipment, or tools. A European directive establishing this measure was actually passed in November 2025.
Electric compact car for 10,000 euros
In Europe, and France in particular, several small manufacturers are working to develop electric vehicles that fall into the L6 and L7 categories. These are known as vélis, or intermediate light vehicles. Subsidies for purchasing cars assembled in Europe, especially when the battery also has a high eco-score, make these vehicles less attractive to buy despite their significantly lower environmental impact during production and use.
To make them more appealing, a specific incentive will be introduced for them. Models assembled in Europe that can reach 90 km/h, accommodate up to 4 passengers, and have a range of 150 km will be eligible for an additional subsidy of 2,000 euros. This applies both to individuals and businesses.
The government hopes to enable the adoption of 15,000 L6 category electric vehicles by 2027, and 150,000 L7 vehicles by 2030.
Lower charging costs with a smart charger
For electric vehicle owners who can charge at home, using an electric vehicle allows for significant savings on energy costs compared to a traditional vehicle.
With a smart charger, these costs could be reduced by another 35%, allowing electric vehicle ownership to be up to five times cheaper than traditional vehicles.
With a subsidy of 6 euros, the government aims to encourage this scenario by offering 500 euros in assistance for purchasing the equipment. Over a year, such equipment could save around 150 euros, and even up to 300 euros when combined with a V2G system that allows electricity to be fed back into the grid.
Transparency in Charging Prices
Many electric vehicle owners complain about discovering the prices charged by service providers after charging. These prices can vary depending on the time of day or traffic levels. It is not acceptable to leave consumers in a sort of pricing jungle, especially since there is already a requirement for transparency when it comes to fuels.
To increase transparency at charging stations, the government will make it mandatory to display the charging price in euros per kilowatt-hour on DC fast chargers with a power output of over 50 kW, as well as “the instantaneous power delivered, which determines the charging time.” Additionally, there must be “a payment receipt for all stations detailing the charging price.”
For new stations, this seventh measure will be required starting in April 2027, while upgrades for existing stations are due by November of the same year.
Public Transportation
Buses and coaches have been transitioning to electric power over the past few years. With the twelfth measure under the second phase of France’s electrification plan, the government hopes to encourage the adoption of another thousand such vehicles next year.
To support local authorities and their transportation operators, subsidies for purchasing models manufactured in Europe will be increased: up to 130,000 euros for large-capacity buses and 123,000 euros for coaches respectively.
Targeting the regions responsible for train procurement, Measure 13, which will take effect on March 1, 2027, aims to support the renewal of TER trains or their conversion to electric propulsion. Currently, 40% of France’s railway network lacks overhead lines for direct electrical power supply to these trains.
The government has set a goal of electrifying 100 TER trains within ten years. With batteries, these trains could operate for about a hundred kilometers on sections without overhead lines.