The French government has moved quickly to confirm that its flagship ‘bonus écologique’ will not only survive into 2026 but rise sharply—from a current ceiling of €4,200 to as much as €5,700 per vehicle. Economy Minister Roland Lescure announced the increase on France Inter on 26 November. The measure, he said, is designed to “amplify the electrification of the national fleet” while insulating lower-income households from upfront purchase costs.
Background. France has been edging away from a purely state-funded EV incentive since July 2025, when the scheme was overhauled and re-anchored to the energy-savings certificate (CEE) market. Under today’s rules the bonus varies by household income (€4,200 for modest or middle-income buyers; €3,100 for others) and can be topped up by a €1,000 ‘European battery’ premium if the vehicle and its battery are assembled in Europe. The 2026 uplift to €5,700 effectively future-proofs that premium while providing extra head-room for lower-paid workers.
![France Raises 2026 EV Purchase Bonus to €5,700, Easing Mobility Costs for Foreign Employees]()
Practical implications for global mobility teams. • Higher caps will make company-car policies that favour electric models more financially attractive, particularly for assignees who receive a local package in France. • Because the bonus is tied to the vehicle’s first registration, many employers have started registering fleet vehicles directly in the assignee’s name, then leasing them back, so the employee—not the company—captures the rebate. That practice is likely to expand. • HR should note that the payment mechanism remains indirect—energy suppliers fund the rebate and reclaim the cost against their CEE obligations—so dealers will still require proof of eligibility at the point of sale.
Strategic context. Paris is racing to meet its 2030 target of 13 million electric cars on French roads, a goal that requires tripling annual EV sales within five years. The higher bonus dovetails with Europe-wide ambitions to scale battery production and blunt China’s dominance in the supply chain.
What’s next? The Finance Ministry will publish the fine print in early January. Industry insiders expect income thresholds to tighten slightly to keep the overall budget near €1 billion. Mobility managers should monitor the decree for any changes to eligibility based on vehicle weight or list price, which can affect larger corporate models like vans and SUVs.
Background. France has been edging away from a purely state-funded EV incentive since July 2025, when the scheme was overhauled and re-anchored to the energy-savings certificate (CEE) market. Under today’s rules the bonus varies by household income (€4,200 for modest or middle-income buyers; €3,100 for others) and can be topped up by a €1,000 ‘European battery’ premium if the vehicle and its battery are assembled in Europe. The 2026 uplift to €5,700 effectively future-proofs that premium while providing extra head-room for lower-paid workers.
Practical implications for global mobility teams. • Higher caps will make company-car policies that favour electric models more financially attractive, particularly for assignees who receive a local package in France. • Because the bonus is tied to the vehicle’s first registration, many employers have started registering fleet vehicles directly in the assignee’s name, then leasing them back, so the employee—not the company—captures the rebate. That practice is likely to expand. • HR should note that the payment mechanism remains indirect—energy suppliers fund the rebate and reclaim the cost against their CEE obligations—so dealers will still require proof of eligibility at the point of sale.
Strategic context. Paris is racing to meet its 2030 target of 13 million electric cars on French roads, a goal that requires tripling annual EV sales within five years. The higher bonus dovetails with Europe-wide ambitions to scale battery production and blunt China’s dominance in the supply chain.
What’s next? The Finance Ministry will publish the fine print in early January. Industry insiders expect income thresholds to tighten slightly to keep the overall budget near €1 billion. Mobility managers should monitor the decree for any changes to eligibility based on vehicle weight or list price, which can affect larger corporate models like vans and SUVs.
