March 24, 2026
Electric car company bonus: France's L7e advantage
The French funding landscape for electromobility has changed radically. Anyone wishing to register an electric vehicle in France today will encounter a completely new set of regulations. The classic Bonus Écologique, as we knew it, has effectively been abolished for companies. At the same time, the new Environnemental score determines which vehicles are still eligible for subsidies.
1. the hard cut: Bonus Écologique = €0 for companies
This is the most important news for all tradespeople: Since December 2, 2024 (decree no. 2024-1084), the state Bonus Écologique has been completely abolished for all legal entities (companies, associations, municipalities).
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Previously: Companies received up to €3,000 for electric commercial vehicles.
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Today: The direct state subsidy for companies is zero euros. This applies to cars (M1), vans (N1) and also light vehicles (L6e/L7e).
Why this is still good news for ARI customers: While the government bonus was abolished, the system of CEE premiums (energy certificates) remained in place. As this system is not financed by taxpayers' money but by energy suppliers, it is the last remaining direct aid for companies. Up to €1,000 is still possible for light vehicles.
2 The "Score Environnemental": the new invisible wall
Since 2024, it is no longer enough for a car to be "locally emission-free" in France. To be eligible for the (remaining) private subsidies, a vehicle in the M1 (passenger car) or N1 (HGV up to 3.5t) categories must achieve an environmental score of at least 60 out of 80 points. What is assessed?
The score looks at the entire life cycle before delivery:
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Production: how much CO2 was produced during the manufacture of steel, aluminum and batteries?
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Energy mix: Was the plant powered by coal or green electricity?
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Transportation: How far was the journey from the factory to the customer? (Ship vs. rail vs. truck).
The "joker" for ARI models: Here lies the enormous strategic advantage of the ARI light vehicle class (L7e): Quadricycles are exempt from the Environnemental score! While large electric trucks (N1) often fail the score due to their global supply chains and therefore lose any eligibility for funding, light vehicles remain eligible for funding without any red tape. They only have to be purely electric.
3. the winners: focus on light vehicles (L7e)
With the removal of the bonus for companies and the strict scoring rules for large vans, compact electric commercial vehicles such as the ARI 458 Pro or ARI 802 are more attractive than ever.
Why an L7e vehicle is the smartest choice in 2026:
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No score hurdles: Immediate access to CEE premiums without months of reviewing the manufacturer's carbon footprint.
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Secure CEE premiums: While the government bonus for companies is €0, the energy certificates (Coup de Pouce) continue to secure up to €1,000 for commercial buyers.
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Zone access (ZFE): Light vehicles retain unrestricted access to all French environmental zones, while the rules for combustion engines and even hybrids are becoming increasingly restrictive.
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Tax benefits: Companies continue to benefit from exemption from vehicle tax and attractive special depreciation allowances, which often more than compensate for the loss of the state bonus.
Conclusion
The classic Bonus Écologique is history for companies. If you want to drive electrically in France today, you have to rethink: away from heavy, score-requiring vans and towards efficient light vehicles. With the ARI portfolio, you use the only vehicle class that has escaped the bureaucratic tightening.
The ARI 458 Pro box is the most economical choice for the "last mile". While large N1 vans fail the complex "Score Environnemental", the ARI 458 Pro remains safely eligible through energy certificates (Coup de Pouce). The ARI Bruni also proves to be a smart solution for courier services that want to continue to benefit from massive tax advantages and unrestricted access to environmental zones (ZFE) despite the discontinuation of the classic company bonus.
