The French Association of Electric Automobile Recharge Operators, Charge France, said it was concerned about possible “reversions” in Brussels in the European prohibition of selling new thermal cars, scheduled for 2035, for fear that rechargeable hybrid cars benefit from an exemption.
Not so green rechargeable hybrids
“Under the pretext of technological neutrality” -print that wants the law not to impose a particular technology but rather an objective of reduction of CO2- “, certain automobile manufacturers sector in France (Engie Vianeo, PowerDot, Fast, Allego, Driveco, Ionity, Izivia and Atlante, in addition to Electra).
Rechargeable hybrid cars are vehicles that have a gasoline engine and an electric motor, with batteries that its owner can recharge as for an electric car, which would reduce its ecological footprint.
However, according to Aurélien de Meaux, the owners of these hybrid cars “recover much less than what manufacturers are moving along their calculation of greenhouse gas emissions” because they prefer to use their gasoline engine.
The position of France and the BCG firm, with which the association commissioned a study, ensures that rechargeable hybrid cars are only 45 to 50% of the time, or even 10 to 15% for commercial fleets. A criticism that regularly returns to this engine.
“Instead of having 30 g of CO2 per kilometer, we would prefer to be at 120 or 150 g” for these cars, MEAUX assured Aurélien during a press conference. Especially since rechargeable hybrids, with their heavy batteries, consume more than a lighter gasoline car.
“Review” clause in 2026
The European Parliament approved in 2022 the 2035 prohibition of the sale of new gas or diesel cars, including hybrids, in the European Union.
But a “review” clause was established for 2026 to make a first inventory and possibly provide text settings.
For aurélien de Meaux, if an exemption was introduced, “European car manufacturers would invest too much in the rechargeable hybrid at the expense of electricity, which will raise competitiveness problems in front of Chinese manufacturers.”
Recommendations to keep the electric cover for 2035
The load study of a France conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) recalls that “the European trajectory to the electric car is largely committed.”
“In the first half of 2025, sales of 100% electric vehicles increased by 24% compared to 2024, and the projections establish that they will represent between 90 and 100% of the new records in 2035 if the European regulations (CAFE) remain unchanged,” says this document, which adds that “almost 60% of the Europeans declare themselves ready to choose an electric vehicle for their next purchase.”
The 100% electric transition would also strongly reduce the demand for oil, a significant source of economy throughout the continent:
“Park electrification would reduce European oil imports by 15% by 2035, an annual savings of 40 to 45 billion euros,” said the BCG.
In this context, Charge France makes four recommendations to stay in line with the 2035 target, first of all, guarantees that only 100% of electric vehicles can be sold as of this date.
It must also be directed to electrical aid (when certain subsidies can still promote the purchase of thermal/hybrid), “improve induced economic and environmental gain” (showing more clearly attainable savings, changing electricity) and supporting the transformation of the European automotive sector.
Source: BFM TV
