France's Electric Car Leasing Program Inspires Spanish Union

UGT FICA, a Spanish union, is urging Spain to adopt France’s “social leasing” program, which provides subsidized access to electric vehicles for low-income individuals. The French program offers qualifying households an electric car with no down payment and monthly payments capped at 200 euros, with some models available for 140 euros. France reactivated the program in July, aiming to support 50,000 households.

The initiative is designed to address the high cost of electric vehicles, a barrier to adoption in Spain where the average car is over 14 years old. The French government provides subsidies of up to 9,500 euros for vehicles manufactured in Europe with European-made engines, simultaneously promoting decarbonization and bolstering the European automotive industry.

UGT FICA argues that access to mobility is essential for employment and that electrification shouldn’t be limited by economic status, and believes a similar program could help renew Spain’s aging vehicle fleet.