French President Emmanuel Macron made a campaign pledge to help make EVs more affordable. Now the government is rolling out a subsidized leasing program for low-income households.

“We know that for many French [EVs] remain very expensive,” Budget Minister Gabriel Attal said in a recent interview. The new program will make EVs available for 100 euros ($100) a month, which Attal noted is less than what many people spend on gasoline.

According to Automotive News Europe, several low-cost EVs can already be leased in France for close to that amount: the Dacia Spring is available for 120 euros a month with a long-term lease; the Nissan Leaf Fiat New 500 can be had for 139 euros a month; and the Renault Twingo is offered at 150 euros a month.

The French government currently offers subsidies of up to 6,000 euros for the purchase of EVs that cost less than 47,000 euros, as well as a scrappage program for old ICE vehicles. EVs made up around 12 percent of the new car market in France in the first seven months of 2022.

Source: Automotive News Europe