What is social leasing? Understand everything about this device which allows you to have an electric car for €100

The French government has just launched a revolutionary scheme to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles: social leasing at 100 euros per month. How does this new system work, which promises to green the French automobile fleet? We will explain everything to you.

Social leasing: An attractive monthly rent so that low-income households have access to an electric car

The principle is simple: rent a new or used electric car for only 100 euros per month on average. The system is aimed at households with modest incomes, with a ceiling set at 15,400 euros of reference tax income per unit.

This offer at an affordable price aims to remove the main obstacle to the purchase of an electric vehicle for households with tight budgets. Leasing at 100 euros per month is an affordable alternative to an out-of-reach cash purchase.

Flexible rental over 3 years, ideal for an extended trial

The minimum rental period is 3 years, renewable once. The contract can be made with or without a purchase option.

This flexibility allows test an electric vehicle at lower cost in the medium term. Social leasing in fact removes certain barriers linked to the direct purchase of an electric car: long-term financial commitment, complex resale, uncertainties about range and reliability.

With a 3-year rental, the motorist can gently familiarize themselves with the specifics of driving and electric charging. The system thus promotes the democratization of these vehicles thanks to an accessible “life-size test”.

Strict criteria to benefit from it, guarantee of regular professional use

Only households meeting precise socio-professional criteria can claim social leasing at 100 euros. It’s necessary :

• Live more than 15 kilometers from your place of work.
• Or travel more than 8,000 kilometers per year to get to work.

These requirements are intended to ensure that the vehicle will be used for regular business purposes. The objective is to maximize the ecological impact of the device by replacing frequent thermal journeys with clean motorization.

A dedicated platform to check your eligibility

Before any action, it is recommended to check your eligibility on the platform mon-leasing-electrique.gouv.fr. This official tool allows you to simulate your rights to the device for free and in just a few clicks.

Justindicate your reference tax income as well as its situation in relation to the home-work distance criteria. The simulator then gives a first verdict of eligibility.

22 models already available from 9 manufacturers, and new ones to come

Several brands have already signed a partnership to offer social leasing models. Citroën, Peugeot, Renault… in total, 22 models are availablewith rents ranging from 49 euros to 149 euros depending on the version.

Following the lifting of quotas by the government, new manufacturers should join the system. The supply of vehicles eligible for social leasing will therefore quickly expand to better meet demand.

Here is an overview of the models available from partner manufacturers:

A certain enthusiasm despite initial limits now lifted

Success is already there for the social leasing of electric vehicles, with more than 90,000 requests recorded in early 2024. However, the system initially faced certain limitations.

The number of affordable models remained limited. Above all, the contingent of available vehicles proved insufficient in relation to demand.

But the government has since lifted the quotas and is working with manufacturers to quickly expand supply. Social leasing is now entering a second dynamic phase to strengthen its impact.

In conclusion, this system already constituted a promising step forward in greening the French automobile fleet. With the removal of the initial brakes, it could permanently change the face of the French automobile fleet.