France’s electric charging points reach 200,000

In September 2026, France achieved a key milestone with 202,804 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points. This number reflects a significant increase in infrastructure, supported by the September 2026 barometer from Avere-France, the Ministry of Ecological Transition, and Gireve.

Electric energy consumption rises sharply

Energy consumption at these charging points surged by 72% in one year, highlighting the growing use of electric vehicles. The French network now has more than 300 charging points per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure that represents a major step in the country’s transition to electric mobility.

High-power charging points are costly to install

The installation of a standard charging point (7 to 22 kW) costs between 2,000 and 5,000 euros. In contrast, a high-power charging point (150 kW and above) requires an investment of 50,000 to 150,000 euros, including connection. This cost difference is significant, especially as the number of very high-power charging points has grown rapidly.

Investment in high-power points increases

The number of very high-power charging points rose by 28.2% in one year, from 20,908 to 26,803. This increase requires hundreds of millions of euros in investment, underscoring the financial burden on operators and local authorities.

Subsidies help but profitability remains uncertain

Since 2016, the Advenir program has provided over 200 million euros in subsidies, covering up to 60% of installation costs for certain categories. However, profitability is uncertain, with amortization of a high-power charging point requiring 5 to 10 years depending on traffic.

Usage rates rise but fall short of economic viability

The average use of charging stations increased from 25.2 to 32.7 sessions per month between September 2025 and September 2026, a rise of 30%. However, this figure is still insufficient to ensure the economic viability of many charging points.

Rural areas face greater challenges

Rural and peri-urban areas have usage rates below the national average, increasing operators’ deficits. Innovations such as ultra-fast charging could help reduce downtime, but the current economic model remains under pressure.

Funding comes from multiple sources

Funding for electric charging infrastructure comes from local authorities, private operators, and users. Local authorities invest through public service delegations, while operators such as Ionity, TotalEnergies, and Engie rely on future profitability.

Costs vary for users

Users pay variable rates of 0.30 to 0.80 euros per kWh, or 15 to 50 euros for a full charge. Between 2020 and 2026, French local authorities invested nearly 500 million euros, a significant burden for local finances, especially in less populated regions.

Electric vehicles may be more expensive for some

For a motorist traveling 15,000 kilometers per year, the electricity bill varies from 600 to 900 euros if they mainly recharge at home. Using public charging points increases the annual cost to 1,500-2,200 euros. In comparison, a thermal vehicle consuming 6 liters per 100 km costs about 1,800 euros per year in fuel.

Price disparity complicates user choices

The price disparity between operators, some billing by time and others by kWh, complicates comparisons. The arrival of new players could intensify competition on charging prices, potentially benefiting users in the long term.