French EV subsidy not for Dacia Spring, Tesla Model 3 and other models from China

The measure was previously announced, but is now explained in more detail. As a result, we can now say with certainty that the French government will use an environmental score when awarding EV subsidies, which is determined, among other things, by the CO2 released during the production and transport of a car. In practice, this means that cars that are built far away, often in China, are no longer eligible for subsidies.

The measure not only affects Chinese brands such as MG and BYD, but also several European and one American brand. To start with the latter: the Tesla Model 3 is built for Europe in China. French buyers will therefore no longer receive a subsidy for a Model 3, but they will receive a subsidy for the German-built Tesla Model Y. Dacia will probably not be serving bitterballen this afternoon either, because the popular and already affordable Dacia Spring will also lose its right to subsidy. . The same goes for another budget EV that is very popular in France, the MG 4.

In addition to the environmental score, the purchase price is also taken into account when awarding the EV subsidy in France. This may not exceed 47,000 euros. According to our French colleagues from AutoPlus, about 65 percent of all available EVs are still eligible for the bonus. The list of ‘permitted models’ will be supplemented in the course of next year, including the new Citroën ë-C3. That new EV could just become very popular, because Stellantis apparently saw the weather and decided to build the EV – from 25,000 euros – in Europe.

Losing the subsidy is probably the temporary death knell for the models mentioned in France, because we are talking about a subsidy of no less than €5,000 per car. Low-income households can even count on an amount of €7,000.