France has unveiled plans to provide diesel car drivers with up to a 10,000 euros (US$11,310) grant to switch to plug-in electric cars.
The initiative forms part of France’s 2015 environmental road map outlined by Energy and Sustainable Development Minister, Segolene Royal and forms part of a backdrop which has seen some hint diesel could be phased out by 2020. According to Segolene Royal, from April the government will introduce a bonus of up to 10,000 euros ($11,310) for the purchase of an electric model if the customer elects to replace an old diesel vehicle. 6,500 euros ($7,350) will also be given out to new owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. “We have to eliminate old diesel cars that are more than 13 years old and have no filters,” commented Royal.
A 10,000-euro rebate would reduce the price of Renault’s Zoe subcompact EV to 12,400 euros from 22,400 euros. The price of the Nissan Leaf would fall to 14,390 euros.
