“A stab in the back of manufacturers”, estimates the president of the 40 million motorists association

On January 1, the ecological bonus will drop by 1,000 euros for the wealthiest households. This risks “putting a slight brake on sales of electric vehicles”, predicts Philippe Nozière.

The reduction in the ecological bonus envisaged by the government on January 1 is “a little bit of a stab in the back of the manufacturers”, estimates Wednesday December 27 on franceinfo Philippe Nozière, president of the 40 million motorists association. This reduction will concern the 40% of the wealthiest French households, and will go from 5,000 to 4,000 euros, franceinfo learned on Wednesday.

“Electric vehicles are still much more expensive than thermal vehicles”recalls Philippe Nozière, “prices are around 25,000 euros”. This reduction in the bonus therefore risks “put a little brake on sales of electric vehicles”according to him, especially since the government has decided to “no longer take into account vehicles coming from China”.

For the president of 40 million motorists, we must also not forget that, even if the bonus dedicated to the most modest families, of 7,000 euros, does not change, it remains insufficient: “Even with this famous bonus”they “may not be able to afford a new electric vehicle”. He is even more worried that “used vehicles risk no longer having any ecological bonus at all”.

“Social leasing” at around a hundred euros per month

Concerning the implementation of the system of “social leasing”also scheduled for January 1, with the possibility for the most modest to rent an electric vehicle for around a hundred euros per month, this is not a good strategy either, according to Philippe Nozière. “I am very cautious”he admits, “because the most modest households who could actually benefit from this famous leasing are already within 100 euros per month”. He also raises the problem of charging stations for these cars. “These people, very often, live in buildings and will not be able to recharge their vehicles”estimates the president of the association.

Generally speaking, it is the overall policy of the European Union in terms of promoting the purchase of electric vehicles that Philippe Nozière calls into question. “The various European governments should realize that 2035 cannot be a deadline” the release of thermal cars, “it’s unthinkable”adds the president of the association.