French Government Cuts Funding for Electric Bicycle Purchases
Starting February 14, 2025, French residents will no longer be eligible for government aid when buying or renting bicycles. This decision, outlined in a decree published on November 29, has left many disappointed within the cycling community.
The move eliminates two key financial incentives: the conversion bonus and the ecological bonus. The conversion bonus offered €1,500 to €3,000 for the purchase of a new or used electrically assisted bicycle, contingent upon scrapping an old motor vehicle. The ecological bonus provided €150 to €2,000 based on the applicant’s income and the type of bicycle they chose – electric, mechanical, or cargo, and applied to both new and used bicycles, whether purchased or rented.
Concerns About Impact on Cycling Culture
“We are putting a damper on a positive trend that was gaining momentum and had reached a wide audience,” says Thibault Quere, director and spokesperson for the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB). “This aid specifically benefited the most vulnerable households and offered accessible and adaptable options for people with disabilities,” he adds.
Professionals within the cycling industry have also expressed concerns, pointing out the disconnect between this decision and broader European trends. ” It completely contradicts what other countries in Europe are doing, as well as the direction France has taken for the past seven years with the implementation of the first National Cycling Plan in 2018,” says Virgile Caillet, general director of the Sport and Cycle Union.
The removal of these financial incentives could have a negative impact on the booming bicycle sector, which has been fueled by policy initiatives aimed at encouraging people to choose cycling over driving. This trend is evident in the 2023-2027 Cycling and Walking Plan, which seeks to establish a “true cycling culture” in France. “The sector needs a clear path forward and defined objectives,” emphasizes Thibault Quere.
What impact will reduced e-bike subsidies have on France’s cycling goals? [[1](https://www.ternbicycles.com/en/explore/more-from-tern/2022-2023-e-bike-incentive-programs-north-america-and-europe)]
With France cutting funding for e-bike purchases, while neighboring countries like Germany offer generous subsidies, will this move hurt France’s cycling goals and create an uneven playing field in Europe?
