France boosts EV Incentives: Up to €5,200 for cars with European batteries starting October

France will grant an additional €1,000 subsidy to buyers of electric cars assembled in Europe and fitted with European-made batteries from October 1, 2025. This is in addition to the existing environmental bonus (Bonus Écologique), which already helps households purchase EVs.

Currently, French buyers can receive up to €4,200 depending on their household income, provided the vehicle meets a minimum environmental score based on the CO₂ emissions generated during its production and battery manufacturing. Since its introduction in February 2024, the subsidy has ranged from €2,000 to €4,000. In July 2025, the government upwardly reviewed it to €3,100-€4,200, probably in response to slowing EV sales. Still, registrations fell by 4.3% between January and July 2025.

With the new bonus, the maximum support rises to €5,200 for qualifying vehicles. Aside from making EVs more affordable, the measure is expected to strengthen Europe’s car and battery industries, cut emissions, and strategically reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

However, only a few EVs use European-made batteries at the moment. France is developing new factories, particularly in the north, while Germany (VW in Salzgitter) and Hungary are also expanding battery production. A monthly updated list of eligible models will be published by ADEME, France’s Environment and Energy Management Agency.

Apart from these bonuses, the government is reviving its EV leasing program for low-income households, which had been paused since February 2024. Backed by a €370 million budget, the scheme will support at least 50,000 electric cars. Applications open on September 30, 2025.