In our ongoing series examining the state of EV charging infrastructure across Europe, we shift our focus to France, a country rapidly driving towards a sustainable automotive future. France has ambitious environmental targets, and is legally bound to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This blog delves into how France is progressing towards these goals through the expansion of its EV charging availability across the nation.
France's journey toward an electrified transport sector is well underway, with a significant boost from both public initiatives and private investments. As of now, France is home to over 120,000 charging points, making it the third-best-equipped country in Europe for EV infrastructure, trailing only behind the Netherlands and Germany. This rapid deployment is part of the Advenir program, which has been instrumental since its launch in 2016, mobilizing substantial financial resources to enhance the country's charging network.
The French government has committed an additional €200 million to accelerate the rollout of more versatile charging solutions, including high-capacity stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles. This is in line with France's broader strategy to make charging an EV as routine and straightforward as refueling a conventional car, aiming for a milestone of 400,000 public charging points by 2030.
The French government has created a whole host of incentives to encourage EV adoption. Electric vehicles are granted significant exemptions from registration and license plate fees across most regions, reducing the upfront costs of EV ownership. Additionally, companies benefit from extended tax reliefs for providing EVs and charging facilities to employees, underpinning the government's push towards corporate sustainability.
France also offers substantial purchase subsidies through the ecological bonus scheme, providing financial assistance for both new and second-hand low-emission vehicles. This initiative is particularly impactful, offering up to €7,000 for qualified individual purchasers, and up to €4,000 for light commercial vehicles, reflecting a commitment to make green vehicles accessible to a wider audience.
In France, several supermarket chains like Auchan and Lidl are promoting electric mobility by integrating charging stations in their parking lots. Auchan has been installing charging stations since 2016, offering free charging services up until 2020 to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles by their customers. They are no longer free, but they are still at subsidized prices. Similarly, Lidl has introduced powerful ultra-fast charging stations capable of delivering a significant amount of range in just minutes, also at very competitive rates, providing accessibility and convenience to EV drivers who shop at their locations.
There are several big players that are spearheading mass development of EV infrastructure across France - let’s check them out.
The leading brand is Renault, a national company that manages approximately a quarter of all charging points across the country. With around 29,000 charging points in France, Renault's infrastructure is strategically located in public parking lots, shopping centers, along highways, within car-sharing networks, and at car dealerships.
Izivia is another significant provider, offering a comprehensive network across France, making long-distance EV travel feasible. With an ambitious plan to install 2,000 high-power charge points at 700 McDonald's branches by 2025, EDF-owned Izivia is ready to enhance the availability of ultra-rapid chargers in France by 25%.
TotalEnergies is another major contributor to the EV charging landscape in France, with over 18,000 charging points across the country. By 2028, it aims to establish 1,000 fast-charging stations and 150,000 charging points throughout Europe, with half of these located in France. With a renewable fleet that includes over 660 wind, solar, hydro, and battery storage plants, TotalEnergies meets the electricity needs of approximately 1.8 million people.
Additionally, Tesla is expanding its Supercharger network in France, and there is also Bouygues, well-known for its partnerships with local authorities, energy associations, and businesses. Bouygues currently operates over 15,000 charging points across France.
Another company making big strides in France is Electra, which specializes in fast charging stations that offer more accessible and user-friendly charging options across the country.
A company also worth mentioning is PowerDot. The Portuguese CPO recently secured €165 million in green financing to scale its ultra-fast power charging points across France and other European countries. Established in 2016, the company has broadened its presence across Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Poland.
The trajectory for France's EV market looks promising, with ongoing advancements in technology and infrastructure that support a swift transition to electric mobility. This proactive shift not only aligns with France's environmental goals but also sets a benchmark for other nations aiming to enhance their EV capabilities.
As France continues to enhance its EV charging infrastructure, it sets an example for how countries can integrate technology, policy, and community efforts to foster sustainable mobility. The French model demonstrates that with the right investments and policies, transitioning to electric vehicles can be both viable and beneficial.
At Nexxt Industry, we offer eMobility marketing services with a decade of industry experience, including expertise in marketing for companies who work in the charging infrastructure sector. With us, you instantly add years of eMobility marketing experience to your eMobility marketing team.
Learn more about us or reach out to learn how working with us will accelerate your marketing results. Stay updated on the latest articles and trends by following us on LinkedIn or Facebook.
