The French government is reducing its subsidies for people buying fuel-efficient cars but is increasing penalties for buyers of high-consumption vehicles.
In 2008 France launched a bonus-malus system which has brought average CO2 emissions from new cars down from 149 g/km to 128. But in revenue terms, the penalties on gas-guzzlers have not brought in enough money to offset the cost of subsidising fuel-efficient cars. The bonuses start at €5000 for buyers of cars emitting less than 50 g/km and include €100 for cars emitting 90-105g, while the penalties start at €200 for cars emitting 141-150g. In future, any car emitting 190g or more will have to pay the penalty every year, not just once.
If the EU holds firm on the 2035 target, the European auto industry has a real chance to be competitive global EV players.
EU's Clean Corporate Vehicles Initiative
Car, aviation and shipping industries would require 2-9 times the advanced biofuels that can be sustainably sourced in 2050.