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The demands of electric cars made in France
First of all, we'll see that electric cars made in France have certain characteristics and requirements when it comes to production.
The foundations of the electric car made in France
First of all, it's important to remember the difference between a French-branded electric car and an electric car made in France. A French-brand electric car is not necessarily made in France. What's more, most of the French car brands' factories responsible for manufacturing electric vehicles are located abroad.
Meanwhile, the French government recently expressed its intention to produce 2 million electric cars in France by 2030. This will be accompanied by the deployment ofgovernment subsidies to help French households switch to electric mobility, which should encourage carmakers to produce their electric cars in France.
With this in mind, the government is planning to introduce social leasing, capped at €100 per month. This new form of leasing, planned for 2023, will be aimed at low-income households to support the cost of acquiring their electric vehicle. For the moment, no official announcement has yet been made about the launch of this aid, so we await further information on the subject from the government.
Investments have already been made in the production of electrical components, such as the investment plan to build France's largest plant for electrical separators, a key battery component. This plant, initiated by Alteo, a French supplier of aluminum oxide, and Wscope, a Korean manufacturer, is scheduled to start production in 2026, with the aim of covering 100% of France's electrical separator requirements.
Read also: Electric cars: government boost for electric mobility
Criteria for electric cars made in France
In addition, automotive brands that produce their electric vehicles in France can demonstrate the localization of their production by obtaining the Origine France Garantie certification.
This label, developed by thePro France association, aims to promote products made in France. For a brand to obtain certification for one of its products, a certain number of criteria must be met:
- 50% of the product's value must be manufactured in France
- complete assembly of the product must be carried out in France
- French origin is expected for the majority of product parts and components, including raw materials.
In addition, the companies are audited every year to ensure that they meet the various criteria for certification. strict specifications.
What's more, obtaining this certification is a real asset in terms of a car brand's reputation andimage. Indeed, the label enables French brands to demonstrate their commitment to local production and their roots in France.
In the same way, certification also enables international brands to assert their foothold in the French market.
Read also: What are the best French electric cars?
Brands offering made-in-France electric cars
French brands are naturally the first to favor production of their electric vehicles in France. But this is also the case for a number of foreign brands, determined to capitalize on the French market to sell their electric cars.
Renault: emblematic models made in France
As for the French automaker, it intends to develop production of its electric vehicles in France.
Renault has invested in a plant in Maubeuge, northern France, to manufacture several of the brand's future electric car models, such as the R5, 4L and Scenic Vision.
Despite the fact that various Renault electric vehicle models are already manufactured in France, only some of its Trucks models are certified Origine France Garantie. As Renault has always claimed its French origins, it didn't see the need to prove its French identity yet again by obtaining this label.
Here are the main Renault electric models manufactured in France:
- the Renault Zoe E-Tech, produced at Flins, in the Yvelines region of France
- the Megane E-Tech produced in the Hauts-de-France region, at Douai
- the Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech, produced at Maubeuge in northern France
Peugeot: a focus on made in France
As far as the French automaker Peugeot is concerned, many of its future electric vehicle models will be manufactured in France. These will include the e-308, the e-308 station wagon and the e-408, all scheduled for production in Mulhouse in 2023.
As for the Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008, scheduled for 2024, they will be manufactured in the Doubs region, at Sochaux.
For the time being, the manufacturer is already producing one of its electric models in the north of France, at Hordain, which is none other than its flagship utility model, the Peugeot e-Expertelectric utility vehicle.
Citroën: catching up soon
Although most of the French brand's factories are located outside France, it intends to catch up with its competitors in terms of French production, with the forthcoming manufacture in France of its future electric SUV, the CR3, at the Stellantis Group plant in Rennes.
As for its release, it's not imminent, as the CR3 should be on the market by 2025.
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DS Automobiles: the future of French electrics
DS Automobiles is also a French manufacturer, positioned in the premium segment, which belongs to the Stellantis group.
The group has decided to focus its vehicle catalog on electric vehicles, marketing exclusively electric models from 2024, while relying on local production in France.
Its electric model, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, the brand's only electric model to date, is manufactured in France, at its Poissy plant in the Yvelines region.
Opel: not 100% German
German automaker Opel manufactures its famous electric SUV, theOpel Mokka-e, in France, at its Poissy plant.
Smart: conquering France
The German brand, part of the Mercedes-Benz division, has also chosen to move part of its production to France, to its French plant in Hambach, Moselle, now acquired by British giant INEOS Automotive.
Smart is currently producing its flagship electric model, the Smart EQ Fortwo, in France.
Read also: What are the best French electric cars?
In conclusion
The fact that electric cars are manufactured in France is a significant asset for the brand's image and transparency, and attests to the quality criteria of the electric vehicles manufactured.
However, the number of electric vehicles currently produced in France remains relatively small. It is with this aim of increasing the production of electric cars in France that the government intends to act.
Government subsidies are available to facilitate access to electric mobility. The aim is to increase demand for electric cars and encourage automakers to produce their electric vehicles on French soil.
One thing's for sure: French production of electric vehicles is sure to grow in the coming years, guaranteeing the marketing of high-performance, high-quality electric models.
Read also: The French say no to Chinese electric cars
