• French Government bids for 2 millions electric cars in 2020 Edit Post

    Jean-Louis Borloo, French Minister of Ecology and Energy and Christian Estrosi, Minister of Industry, presented an action plan for electric cars development and hybrids rechargeable on October 1st. The objective is to put into circulation 2 millions cars by 2020  as they expect an increase of 4% per year.

    In order to encourage the purchase of this kind of vehicles, the Ministers count on green tax for enterprises and on the bonus of 5000 euros in favour of vehicles emitting less than 60 grams of CO2 per kilometres, which is extended until 2012. The first electric cars will arrive by the end of 2010 but as the commercial market will increase only once the household and commercial recharge infrastructures will be made available, Mr. Borloo aims a network of 4.4 millions recharging points by 2020. It represents a €4 milliard investment.

    In addition to recharging  terminals in streets from 2012, constructions of buildings (offices and habitations) with parking shall integrate recharging plugs. Government also hopes that shopping centers, cinema and hotel chains will introduce those kinds of installations. In a year, an experimental batteries exchange system, developed by Better Place for Renault, should start with Parisian taxis.

    On the €4 milliard  budget, €750 million will be committed to the  reinforcement of the distribution network. “We will ask EDF to create a filial dedicated to infrastructure” the Minister said.  Finally, 1.5 milliards will concern shared infrastructures in public sector. Government hopes that local community will invest in parallel. “These investments represent important sums but widely inferior to the 60 milliards spent by France for its oil bill in 2008, whose half was dedicated to transport” underlined Mr. Estrosi. In addition, France made a commitment with Renault for its battery plant in Flins.  Strategic Investment Funds will contribute up to €125 million.

    The next crucial issue will be to get along with European countries to establish common plugs . An agreement has already been find with Germany and others states may join them by the end of 2009.

    See the Press Release on the Ministry website