France Steers Market Toward Higher-Mileage Vehicles
The CCFA, the French auto makers association, says only 17.5% of cars registered in the first four months paid malus taxes, while 34.9% were awarded bonuses.
PARIS – Fuel efficiency in new cars here has improved 5.6% since Jan. 1, when France updated its bonus/malus system by taxing higher-consumption vehicles and lowering the bonus bar for more frugal models.
The 1.8 million new cars sold in 2012 in the country averaged 124.3 g/km of carbon dioxide, while the average for the 586,000 cars delivered in first four months this year was just 117.3 g/km (equivalent to 48 mpg [4.9 L/100 km] for a gasoline vehicle), according to the French statistical service and the CGDD environmental commission.
This year, buyers of cars at 136 g/km CO2 or more pay a tax, and those with vehicles emitting 105 g/km or less qualify for a bonus.
The average rating so far in 2013 is being helped by the arrival of more electric vehicles and hybrids, although sales of both are well below the pace that would meet the expectations of the government, which raised the bonus for cars at less than 20 g/km to €7,000 ($9,100).
The CCFA, the French auto makers association, says only 17.5% of cars registered in the first four months were subject to malus taxes, while 34.9% qualified for bonuses.
The 2013 figures push France closer to Europe’s fuel-efficiency leader, Denmark, which finished 2012 at 116.6 g/km. Denmark also is favoring EVs through taxation.
Renault began widespread sales of its Zoe electric car in France in March, joining its electric Fluence ZE, Twizy and Kangoo ZE light-utility vehicle.
In April, France registered nearly 1,000 EVs, after 1,347 in March, and the total through April was about 3,200, according to figures published by Autoactu.com. The government target is 25,500 electric cars for the year.
In April, Renault registered 745 Zoes, the brand’s purpose built Clio-sized EV, according to Autoactu. Nissan registered 94 units of its electric Leaf and Bollore registered 51 Bluecars as it prepares to offer the model for sale to the public. Until now, all Bluecars have been devoted to the Paris Autolib program of short-term rentals.
Sales of hybrid vehicles totaled 3,300 in April, after 4,500 in March. Toyota dominates the segment, with its Prius, Auris and Yaris hybrids accounting for 51.3% of demand. PSA Peugeot Citroen follows, with the Peugeot 3008 and 508 and Citroen DS5 at 38.8%.
The 15,300 units registered in the first four months also were below the pace of the government goal of 67,000 for the year.
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