The French government is launching a 100 million euro funding program to build more electric vehicle charging stations on the national road network. The decree was published in the Official Gazette on the 14th and announced that it will support the manufacture of fast in the French transport sector

The French government is launching a 100 million euro funding program to build more electric vehicle charging stations on the national road network. The decree was published in the Official Gazette on the 14th and announced that it will support companies that manufacture fast-charging posts in the French transport sector. Each company must have four fast-charging stations, including at least two with a charging power of 150 kW.

The French government will subsidize the charging centers at an average rate of 30 percent, and in some cases 40 percent, according to French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari. The situation described applies to charging sites that want more than the minimum of four fast chargers. He also said that the new funding could be combined with a 75 percent cost of grid connection.

The minister also told AFP that the 100 million euros would be enough to support the installation of very fast charging stations in all service areas of the national road network. "Our goal is that by the end of 2022, France will have very fast charging stations around the main roads, with charging times even reduced to 20 minutes. According to the ministry, France has 440 service stations on its national road network, about 140 of which are equipped with charging stations.

Le Figaro reports that the government announced in October 2020 a target of opening 100,000 charging points to the public by the end of 2021. Large retail groups (the main fuel suppliers) have pledged to install thousands in their parking lots. However, freeway companies have challenged the provision, accusing operators of freeway charging stations of "lacking a reasonable revenue model" as long as motorists do not use electricity on long journeys.

France has also expanded its electric vehicle subsidy program to include used electric vehicles earlier this year. In January alone, plug-in passenger cars accounted for nearly 10 percent of the market. In announcing the latest funding for charging infrastructure, the government also pointed to an additional plan to promote fast-charging stations for electric trucks in the future.