French revising EV score calculation

The French government has updated the method for calculating the environmental score of electric vehicles, which may reduce the purchase assistance available to some buyers by up to 7,700 euros. The change impacts the CEE (energy savings certificates) premium, which has been the primary form of purchase assistance since July 1, 2025. Two decrees published in the Official Journal on October 23, 2026, have significantly altered the environmental score calculation, which takes into account the carbon footprint of a vehicle and determines eligibility for state assistance, including the CEE premium and the social leasing program.

New categories for assistance

The revised rules introduce three categories to better target assistance. The first category includes large family vehicles with seven seats, a boot larger than 700 liters, or a range exceeding 380 kilometers, with the same carbon scale as before. The second category includes medium-sized five-seat sedans, such as the Renault Mégane E-Tech, Peugeot E-308, Citroën ë-C4, and Volkswagen ID.3. For these vehicles, the acceptable carbon footprint threshold has been reduced to 19,300 CO2 equivalents, down from 21,000 for family vehicles.

Eligibility changes for some models

According to Nicolas Moulin, president of PrimesEnergie.fr, certain models like the Renault Mégane E-Tech, Peugeot e-308, or Volkswagen ID.3 Neo still qualify for enhanced bonuses of up to 7,700 euros if the vehicle and its battery are produced in the European Economic Area. However, other models that no longer meet the eco-score requirements lose access to these enhanced subsidies. Vehicles like the Mazda MX-30 or Hyundai Inster are no longer referenced by Ademe, leaving only a standard CEE assistance of 370 to 600 euros available for these models.

Third category with unchanged criteria

The third category is for four-seat models, which continue to use the same criteria to qualify for current assistance. The Type Variante Véhicule (TVV) code has become a key legal reference for calculating the eco-score. With a lowered threshold of 19,300 CO2 equivalents, small differences in equipment, such as wheel size or battery weight, can now push a vehicle variant to the wrong side of the threshold. Each model can have multiple TVVs, but only some are eligible for various bonuses, including the eco-score and European battery incentives. Checking this technical code on Ademe's website is now a necessary step before signing a dealership contract.

Transitional period and manufacturer response

A transitional period until 2027 has been set, with the old rules applying to vehicles ordered before November 24, 2026, provided billing or the first lease payment occurs by February 6, 2027. Solal Botbol, co-founder of the startup Beev, views the reform as environmentally positive, as it pressures manufacturers to green their entire production chain. However, he warns about potential impacts on motorists, noting that changing the eco-score could disrupt the assistance landscape for electric vehicles. To prevent market disruption from mass order cancellations, manufacturers are expected to speed up deliveries of vehicles that would lose their eligibility after February 6, 2027.