Electric vehicle fleet: assistance for SMEs, craftsmen and the self-employed
At national and European level, a number of objectives have been set, including :
To achieve this, companies need financial assistance to help and encourage them to decarbonize their vehicle fleets.
Energy transition: government aid for businesses
A number of financial incentives have been introduced to help SMEs, craftsmen and self-employed professionals renew their vehicle fleets:
- Benefits in kind
- Conversion bonus The aim of this bonus is to help motorists (private individuals and professionals) finance their electric vehicle by scrapping their old one. The bonus varies according to the buyer's income. There is also a ZFE-m bonus bonus, in addition to the conversion bonus. This additional bonus is awarded to anyone living and/or working in a ZFE-m (Low Emission Mobility Zone). This means they can benefit from €1,000.
As a reminder, here are the current m-FTAs:
- Greater Paris
- Lyon
- Aix Marseille
- Toulouse
- Nice
- Montpellier
- Strasbourg
- Grenoble
- Rouen
- Reims
- Saint-Etienne
What's more, by 2025, 43 other conurbations with populations of over 150,000 will be introducing a ZFE-m.
For more information : Low-emission mobility zones (ZFE-m): 11 cities to be covered by 2022
Good to know: as of January 2023, it is no longer necessary for the local authority to grant assistance in order to qualify for the additional premium.
Electric vehicle fleet: tax benefits
Apart from the certainty of electrifying your fleet, opting for electric vehicles offers other advantages for professionals. Here we're talking about tax advantages.
Tax benefits: no tax exemption for electric vehicles
Did you know that when you choose an electric vehicle, you are not exempt from company car tax?
As a reminder, a company established on French soil, with vehicles at its disposal, must pay what is known as the "taxe des véhicules de sociétés" (TVS) every year.
As of January 1, 2023, the TVS has changed. It is now replaced by 2 new taxes:
- Annual tax on CO2 emissions
- Annual tax on emissions of atmospheric pollutants
Apart from the change in this tax, payment conditions remain the same.
How much is the tax?
To find out the amount of the TVS, it is estimated every quarter:
- The number of vehicles in your fleet
- Number of vehicles in use on the 1st day of each quarter
- Vehicles leased for more than 30 days during the quarter (e.g. long-term leasing)
As electric vehicles emit little or no carbon dioxide (CO2), the annual tax on CO2 emissions is €0.
Find out more : company vehicle tax (TVS).
Electric cars: exemption from registration fees
Another advantage is the non-exempt card for electric vehicles. Regardless of where you live, the registration document for your electric vehicle is 100% exempt from regional tax. What's more, these vehicles are not affected by the weight and ecological malus.
Find out more : Vehicle registration for your electric car
Prêt à taux zéro (PTZ): loan applicable to businesses since 2023
Back in 2022, the French government introduced a zero-interest loan for electric vehicles. This has been in the experimental phase since January 1, 2023, for a period of 2 years.
This zero-interest loan is aimed at residents and micro-businesses domiciled in the ZFE-m and adjacent intercommunal areas.
Bonus: Tax reduction
In addition to electrifying your car fleet, you can set up a fleet of free bicycles for your employees. By doing so, you'll benefit from a tax reduction.
This tax reduction is valid until December 31, 2024. You can purchase this fleet of bicycles in cash, or lease them. In the latter case the tax reduction is subject to the lease contract being signed for a minimum of 3 years.
Here are the conditions for this discount:
- Your company must be registered for corporation tax (IS). So whether you're a craftsman, a self-employed professional or an SME subject to corporation tax, you're eligible for this reduction,
- Setting up a fleet for commuting to and from work.
The amount of the reduction is equal to the costs generated by the free installation, capped at 25% of the purchase or rental price of the bicycle fleet.
The tax reduction is deducted from the company's income tax for the year in which the expenditure is incurred. In the event that the amount of the tax reduction exceeds the amount of corporate income tax due, the unused balance cannot be refunded or carried forward.
Electric vehicle fleet: local grants
In addition to national subsidies, some regions and even départements have local subsidies that can be combined with government grants. These subsidies can help reduce the cost of purchasing or leasing electric vehicles.
Here are a few examples:
Greater Lyon Metropolis
If your company is based in the Greater Lyon area, here are the eligibility criteria:
- Your company is an SME
- Eligible for all legal forms (SARL, SASU, SAS, EURL, cooperative, etc)
Two other types of financial assistance are available for your fleet of vehicles:
- A increase of 1,000 eurosif :
- You are in an EPZ
- A vehicle has been scrapped
- Buy an electric van or truck
- An additional 1,000 euros in aid, in 2 possible cases:
- By taking out a "green contract" for a minimum of 24 months
- Source from your own production sites
Good to know: you must apply for this financial aid before making any purchase. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for this financial aid.
Ile-de-France region
The Ile-de-France region also offers financial assistance to help finance your project:
- 5,000 euros for fleet renewal. This bonus is available for the purchase of an electric passenger car or light commercial vehicle costing up to 45,000 euros.
For more information : Regional grants for electric cars in France
Car fleet: electric vehicle rental
Have you considered leasing your electric vehicle(s) for your fleet? Since your fleet of vehicles will evolve over the years, you'll need vehicles that meet your current and future needs.
To do this, you need to electric vehicle rental can be a solution for several reasons:
Manage vehicle loads
Another important aspect is that when you lease a vehicle, you don't have to pay VAT on all the vehicles. This will be directly included in the rental payments for the entire duration of the contract.
What's more, from an accounting point of view, the lease is expensed. As a result, your cash flow won't be impacted, and you'll be in better control.
Take advantage of subsidies to reduce costs
As we have already seen, the government has set up a range of financial aid schemes that can be combined with the assistance offered by France's départements and regions.
These schemes represent a financial boost for you and an incentive to invest in a fleet of clean vehicles.
Travel in total comfort
As a craftsman or self-employed professional, a car is an indispensable vehicle for all your travel needs. What's more, if it's a vehicle that's comfortable to drive, all the better.
Whatever the model, the electric vehicle provides comfort for the driver and passengers in a number of ways:
- equipment,
- its latest-generation technologies,
- on driving, with heated seats and steering wheel, for example. A pleasant feature, especially in winter.
Boost your company's image
By choosing electric vehicles for your fleet, you're showing your concern for the environment and the energy transition. This can work in your favor with employees, partners, suppliers and even customers, who will also want to switch to electric mobility.
Find out more : 5 advantages of electric cars for professionals
How and which electric cars for your fleet?
Now it's time to choose the vehicle for your fleet.
When choosing an electric vehicle, there are several questions to ask:
- How will the vehicle be used on a daily basis?
- What's your budget?
- What are your company's current and future needs (in terms ofrange, power, vehicle size, fleet size)?
- Which financing method should I choose? Purchase or lease?
When it comes to choosing your vehicle, you can opt for :
Electric city cars
Hyundai IONIQ 5 RWD
Purchase price €48,800
(list price excluding bonus)
LLD sans apport pour les professionnels à partir de 593 € / mois
- Range (WLTP): 570 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.3 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 16 min.
Peugeot e-208 136 hp
Purchase price €34,100
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no deposit for professionals from €494 / month
- Range (WLTP): 362 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 8.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
MG MG4 Standard
Purchase price €29,990
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from €365 / month
- Range (WLTP): 350 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.7 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 34 min.
Electric sedans and SUVs
BMW i4 eDrive40
Purchase price €63,950
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no down payment for professionals from €707 / month
- Range (WLTP): 589 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.6 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 27 min.
Tesla Model Y Propulsion
Purchase price €44,990
(list price excluding bonus)
LLD sans apport pour les professionnels à partir de 508 € / mois
- Range (WLTP): 455 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6.9 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 25 min.
Volvo EX40 Recharge
Purchase price €48,950
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no deposit for professionals from €594 / month
- Range (WLTP): 467 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.3 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 34 min.
Electric vans for craftsmen
Peugeot e-Partner 50 kWh
Purchase price €0
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from € 584 / month
- Range (WLTP): 200 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 11.7 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 31 min.
Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech EV45 11kw
Purchase price €40,320
(list price excluding bonus)
Low-cost leasing for professionals from €634 / month
- Range (WLTP): 300 km
Opel Vivaro-e 200
Purchase price €0
(list price excluding bonus)
Leasing with no deposit for professionals from € 546 / month
- Range (WLTP): 230 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Peugeot e-Traveller 50 kWh
Leasing with no down payment for professionals from €916 / month
- Range (WLTP): 225 km
- Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 13.1 sec
- Fast charge (from 20% to 80%): 26 min.
Bonus: charging stations for your fleet
For a better experience with your electric vehicle and to accelerate your energy transition, consider installing charging stations.
Of course, there are platforms for quickly finding charging stations for your vehicle, such as Chargemap, Plug & Charge or Easy Charginunuality.
However, with strong demand for electric vehicles and little infrastructure in France, the installation of charging stations in urban and rural areas is essential.
You can also consider installing charging stations in your fleet. fleetThere are several reasons for this:
- For your employees: knowing that you're installing charging stations in your fleet will not only save them time, boost employee loyalty and subsequently encourage them to make the energy transition,
- For your customers: if your parking lot is open to the public, the installation of a charging station will attract customers, boost your brand awareness and your internet ranking. What's more, by doing so, you have the option of charging for recharging, in which case you'll be able to earn additional income.
Support for the installation of charging stations
As with electric vehicles, financial assistance is also available for the purchase, installation and maintenance of charging stations:
ADVENIR
For fleets and employees, a subsidy is available. The amount of the subsidy is 20%, with a ceiling of €600 (excl. VAT) per recharging point.
If you are an automotive services professional, Advenir can also subsidize your project for fleets and employees:
| Type of beneficiary | Total aid rate | Maximum amount per recharging point |
|---|---|---|
|
Fleets and employees |
25 % |
750 € |
Advenir also offers a bonus for the installation of public pay stations for automotive service professionals in private parking lots. The amount of the subsidy varies according to the charging capacity chosen:
| Type of beneficiary | Total aid rate | Charging power | Maximum amount per recharging point |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
50 % |
Between 3.7 and 11 kW AC |
750 € |
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
50 % |
Between 12 and 43 kW AC |
2 200 € |
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
50 % |
Between 20 and 40 kW DC |
4 500 € |
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
50 % |
Over 40 kW DC |
7 500 € |
|
Private parking lot open to the public |
50 % |
Over 140 kW DC |
15 000 € |
Conclusion
Whatever your job or activity, electric vehicles are accessible to all professionals. Several models are available to suit your needs, and a number of subsidies can be combined to reduce costs.
If you're looking to electrify or modernize your vehicle fleet, our Beev experts will help you, whatever your project.
