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Electric vehicle take-up in the UK is gradually increasing, helped by the current £5,000 Government grant which offsets the sometimes high purchase price of these vehicles. However, while this is a positive initiative, the UK isn't leading the way in providing a financial incentive for drivers and businesses.
To put it into context, the French Government recently announced a ?10,000 (£7,958) additional subsidy for electric vehicle purchases as part of its ?10bn (£8bn) energy transition bill. This incentive builds upon existing subsidies for low emitting vehicles and shows a clear commitment to electric cars and vans.
Subsidies aren't the only way that the Government in France is investing its budget into zero emissions driving. The same bill also lays out plans for seven million charging points which will be installed across the country by 2030. The scale of this planned network not only shows serious support for plug-in vehicles, it also makes them a whole lot more practical for city drivers thinking of changing their car or van.
To be fitted in car parks and at motorist's homes, this will reduce range anxiety and make it easier for French drivers to adopt plug-in technology. It's a clear contrast to the UK where the network of charging points remains small and the plans for expansion are nowhere near as grand at this moment in time.
The French are clearly serious about cutting their energy bill and reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and they are hanging their hat on electric vehicles as an effective way to do this. While some countries, including the UK, are less inclined to throw their weight behind a single technology, the French government seems totally committed.
With the greatly improving performance of petrol and diesel vehicles, and the expected emergence of hydrogen powered transport in the next few years, it will be interesting to see if this bullish strategy from across the channel is the right one to take.
Mike Waters is senior insight & consultancy manager at Arval, the leading vehicle leasing and fleet management company.
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