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The best French electric cars

Best French electric car

What's the best French electric car? Today, there are more and more French French electric cars on the electric car market.

With nothing to envy of European manufacturers, let alone German ones. In recent years, French electric carmakers have been able to set themselves apart from their competitors. In fact, despite sales concentrated mainly in Europe, Peugeot will lead the way in sales of electric cars in France in 2022. In fact, 11,982 Peugeot e-208s were sold between January and August 2022. The Renault Zoe has thus been dethroned after having been one of France's iconic electric cars.

Especially as it's high time to make a breakthrough in the French automotive market, the French President has announced a preference for awarding the new 2023 ecological bonus to cars produced in France or Europe.

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The French electric car

Today, for French automakers, the electric car represents the future of the sector. In France, the National Assembly has voted to end the marketing of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2040. With regulations for combustion-powered cars becoming increasingly stringent, it's only natural that automakers are investing heavily in the future of mobility.

On the other hand, faced with the increase in subsidies to aid the purchase of an electric vehicle, established on 1ᵉʳ June 2020 by the government in the automotive industry recovery plan, will thus facilitate the accessibility of electric cars and democratize it more easily.

Electric cars: how to choose?

Buying an electric vehicle, especially a French electric car, can be a special step in a motorist's life. Especially when you're making this transition for the first time. That's why we're going to start by explaining the essentials of an electric car.

Choose your autonomy

Range is one of the crucial factors in optimizing your transition to an electric car.

The quiet ride and low maintenance and recharging costs will have you falling under the spell of the electric car.

Today, range is suitable for all types of driver, so if you're going to be doing a lot of kilometers, there are several long-range models available on the electric market.

Good to know: WLTP is a vehicle certification test standard that measures fuel consumption and electric range.

Define your budget

Price is often one of the first barriers to the acquisition of an electric vehicle, which is why the French government has introduced a range of grants to help reduce the initial cost of an electric car, including VAT. In France, you are eligible for an ecological bonus for the purchase of a new electric vehicle, whether you are a private individual or a company. What's more, depending on your situation, you may also be eligible for a conversion bonus of up to €5,000. And finally, depending on your region, you can deduct up to €7,000 from your purchase with the help of regional subsidies.

Government aid for the purchase of electric cars

To make electric mobility as accessible as possible to everyone, the government has introduced a number of financial incentives to reduce the cost of buying an electric car: the bonus écologique (ecological bonus) and the prime à la conversion (conversion bonus). 

Ecological bonus

The ecological bonus is a subsidy to help the French make their ecological transition by buying or leasing an electric car.

Categories From January 1, 2023
Electric vehicles (CO2 ⩽ 20 g/km) under €47,000 27% of the price up to €5,000
Electric vehicles (CO2 ⩽ 20 g/km) under €47,000 (legal entity) 27% of the price up to €3,000
Electric vehicles (CO2 ⩽ 20 g/km) from €47,000 to €60,000 1 000 €
Electric vans or hydrogen-powered vehicles (CO2 ⩽ 20 g/km) over €60,000 0 €
Plug-in hybrid vehicle (CO2 emissions between 21 and 50 g/km) up to €50,000 and range > 50 km 0 €

The 2023 ecological bonus for the most modest households will be €7,000 for the purchase or lease of a car with a list price of less than €47,000.

Read also - 2023 environmental bonus: electric cars are yours

Conversion bonus

The "prime à la conversion" (conversion premium) is also designed to reduce the cost of buying or leasing a new electric vehicle. All you have to do is scrap your current car. The amount of assistance will be calculated according to your situation. In 2023, this conversion premium will be between €1,500 and €4,000.

How do I charge my electric vehicle?

Charging your electric vehicle can be perceived as something complex and arduous. However, recharging is one of the easiest things about buying an electric vehicle to get used to.

  • In France's major cities, most town councils have introduced policies to encourage the use of electric cars. For example, you'll be able to recharge at charging stations in your city.
  • If you live in a single-family dwelling, you can benefit from a number of grants to install charging stations in your home, so you can optimize your charging at home.
  •  For condominiums, the installation ofa terminal in your building is possible thanks to the "right to a plug".

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The best French electric cars in 2023

We've put together an exhaustive list of the best French electric cars in terms of range and currently available!

Renault ZOE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obOxVrQWtn4

Available since 2012, the ZOE is one of the first electric city cars on the market. In September 2019, the Renault ZOE was given anew, more efficient version that has set it apart from other French electric cars.

The list price is €33,700, excluding the environmental bonus. The Renault ZOE is an electric vehicle with a range of different purchase options, making the ZOE more affordable depending on how you use it.

In terms of powertrains, the Renault ZOE offers up to two distinct engines. From the previous generation, the R110 engine develops up to 80 kW of power for a maximum speed limited to 135 km/h. For even greater performance, the R135 engine will deliver up to 100 kW and a maximum speed limited to 140 km/h, in order to meet the promised range. Nevertheless, you'll be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.5 seconds.

The new ZOE is also equipped with a useful 52 kWh battery, giving the Renault a range of 395 km in the WLTP cycle. And when it comes to recharging, the ZOE can take a maximum of 50 kW on a fast charge. It will therefore take 56 minutes to charge the ZOE from 10% to 80% on a CSS Combo socket. However, the Combo connector is optional and costs €1,000. 

  • Range: 395 km (WLTP)
  • Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 9.5s
  • Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 56 min.
  • Price: €33,700


Get a Renault Zoé

Peugeot e-208

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH1rO3N3ESY

Available since the end of 2019, Peugeot competes with the Renault ZOE in the city car segment with this new model, one of Peugeot's new-generation cars.

Starting at €33,000, the Peugeot e-208 is equipped with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds. In terms of top speed, the Peugeot e-208 reaches a top speed of 150 km/h.

In terms of range, it covers 340 km in the WLTP cycle without any problems, thanks to its 50 kWh battery installed under the floor, optimizing weight distribution and without encroaching on load volume.

When it comes to recharging, the Peugeot e-208 tolerates up to 100 kW on a fast socket, enabling it to be charged in just 28 minutes.

  • Range: 340 km (WLTP)
  • Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 8.1s
  • Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 28 min.
  • Price: €32,600

Get a Peugeot e-208

Peugeot e-2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a2h1oH44B4

On sale from early 2020, the e-2008 is Peugeot's first compact electric SUV. Unsurprisingly, in terms of technical specifications, it uses the same powertrain as the e-208 city car.

Starting at €38,750, the electric Peugeot e-2008 is available in six trim levels: Active, Active Pack, Style, Allure, Allure Pack, GT, for private customers, and two(Active Business, Allure Business) for business customers only. 

The Peugeot e-2008 's electric motor develops up to 100 kW of power, or 136 hp. It also boasts a 50 kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 310 km. On the other hand, the e-2008 is limited to 150 km/h, to avoid excessive strain on the battery.

For recharging, the Peugeot e-2008 uses the standard Combo CSS charger, tolerating up to 100 kW of power, which enables the e-2008 to charge from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes.

  • Range: 310 km (WLTP)
  • Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 8.5s
  • Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 28 min.
  • Price: €38,750 (excluding environmental bonus)


Get a Peugeot e-2008

Renault Megane e-Tech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUThdAlQRZ0

Renault is one of the forerunners in the electric car market, with the Renault Zoe e-tech seen above. Although it bears the same name, the Renault Megane e-Tech has nothing in common with its combustion-powered namesake. It's a fairly tall sedan, and adopts Renault's new design.

Its list price is €42,900 for the entry-level model with a 40 kWh battery. There's also a model with a 60 kWh battery and 96 kW motor, and a final model with a 60 kWh battery, but this time with 160 kW motor power.

The EV40 has a range of around 300 km. As for recharging, a full charge at an AC recharging point takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. For rapid recharging up to 80%, it will take 29 minutes.

  • Range: 300 km (WLTP)
  • Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 10s
  • Fast recharge (10 to 80%): 29 min.
  • Price: €42,900 (excluding environmental bonus)

Get a Renault Megane E-Tech

We hope you've been able to find the French electric car that's right for you. When it comes to electric vehicles, choice is no longer a problem. There are many models to choose from, with all the qualities needed to suit different types of driver. You're free to choose the color, finish and brand you prefer. The choice is yours!

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