The future introduction of a tax on electric vehicles is sparking a lot of discussion. While nothing has been officially decided in France yet, it would be unrealistic to think such a measure won't be considered. The main questions are when it might happen, what form it would take, and how much it would cost. The debate centers on a growing challenge: as fewer drivers use gasoline and diesel, the tax revenue from these fuels declines. It would be surprising if governments didn't consider ways to compensate for this loss. Some countries have already taken steps. In the United Kingdom, a mileage contribution on electric vehicles is set to start in April 2028. The proposed rate is about 2.2 cents per kilometer, which would amount to roughly 330 euros per year for someone driving 15,000 kilometers annually. In August 2026, the French Ministry of Economy told TF1 Info that it was not considering a mileage tax on electric vehicles. This statement, however, could be seen as a reluctant denial. There is already a discussion about an annual contribution, currently being considered by the Council of Mandatory Levies. According to their report, a potential tax could be based on a vehicle's weight or size, with a suggested amount of 95 euros per car and per year. However, this proposal applies to all private vehicles, not just electric ones, and is not yet finalized. While electric vehicles offer significant cost savings compared to traditional cars, these benefits may not last forever. For example, if gasoline costs 12 euros for 100 kilometers, a 48% tax would account for 5.76 euros. In contrast, if electricity costs 4 euros for the same distance, a 43% tax would cover only 1.72 euros. These differences in tax contributions can lead to varying levels of revenue for the state. Considering the calculation that spreads 30.5 billion euros in TICPE (a tax on petroleum products) revenues over 40 million cars, it results in about 763 euros per year per vehicle. However, this doesn't mean that the state would collect this amount from electric vehicles alone, as the TICPE tax applies to a broader range of vehicles, including corporate fleets. To understand the impact of an additional tax, consider a driver traveling 15,000 kilometers a year. With a car that consumes 7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers and a fuel price of 2.20 euros per liter, the annual cost is 2,310 euros. An electric car consuming 18 kWh per 100 kilometers and electricity priced at 0.20 euros per kWh would cost 540 euros for the same distance. Even with a hypothetical tax of 500 euros per year, the electric car would still be cheaper by over 1,270 euros. However, if the electricity cost rises to 0.60 euros per kWh, the cost would increase significantly, potentially making the electric car more expensive than a traditional one. This could make a new tax seem manageable for drivers who charge their cars at home during off-peak hours, but it could be a deterrent for those relying on public charging stations. In a country that values equality highly, this might be seen as unfair. It's also worth noting that electricity is already heavily taxed, with these taxes making up about 30% of the total bill. Manufacturers are also caught in the middle of this situation. Families that switch to electric vehicles based on government encouragement expect a certain level of transparency. A tax, even if small, introduced without clear plans or explanations, can raise doubts. It could discourage some from keeping their current, traditional cars. Manufacturers, on the other hand, face a dilemma: they need to sell electric vehicles to avoid financial penalties under regulations like the CAFE law, but they also risk reduced sales if a tax on electric vehicles is introduced, making them less attractive to buyers. It's important to distinguish between the success of electric vehicles in new sales (around 35% of the market in 2026) and their current share of the total vehicle fleet (about 5%). Since fuel tax revenues depend on the amount of fuel actually consumed by all vehicles, the gradual shift to electric vehicles gives the government time to introduce new taxes. Meanwhile, electric vehicle drivers continue to enjoy significant financial benefits. However, this will require a lot of clear communication and explanation to ensure public understanding and support.