France Manages To Launch The Electric Vehicle Rental Program At A Cost Of 100 Euros Per Month

Illustration of electric vehicles (photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - France seems to be preparing to launch a new program that will allow its citizens to be able to rent electric vehicles (EVs) for 100 euros (IDR 1.48 million) per month.

Launching from a Bloomberg report via Engadget, the plan was conveyed by the Minister of Budget, Gabriel Attal over the weekend on the country's local news channel.

"We know that many [EVs] of France remain very expensive", Attal said in the broadcast, adding that the government is working hard to find out how quickly the government can implement the program.

The plan is also in line with the campaign promise by the French President, Emmanuel Macron to make EV vehicle prices more affordable.

In addition, Attal also noted that the rental costs imposed by the government were much cheaper than the costs spent on buying gasoline.

Furthermore, the report said that Macron promised state-sponsored leasing programs for low-income households who still think EV prices are still beyond the reach of many people.

The French government is offering a subsidy of 6,000 euros (IDR 89 million) for purchases of each EV, which costs less than 47,000 euros (IDR 699 million) with possible additional assistance under the cash-for-clunkers program for old combustion vehicles.

According to him, this leasing move benefits European automakers launching new electric models including Renault SA, Volkswagen AG, Peugeot, and Citroen maker Stellantis NV.

Attal's announcement follows months of very hot weather across France as Europe and the world feel the burden of deteriorating climate change.