Electric mobility has sparked the “appetite” of Chinese brands for Europe, which is now being seen as a strong threat to the automotive sector in the Old Continent.
In this sense, France seems willing to advance a protectionist plan that aims to quadruple electric vehicle sales by 2027, under a strategic agreement signed with the government on Monday, as the Chinese president is visiting the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron has set a goal for French car manufacturers to produce 2 million electric or hybrid vehicles by the end of the decade, even facing tough competition from China, the world’s leading producer.
Under the new agreement with the French government, the French automotive industry is expected to agree to a provisional target of 800,000 electric vehicle sales by 2027, a figure that clearly surpasses the 200,000 sold in 2022. In addition, car manufacturers will aim to increase sales of light commercial vehicles to 100,000 annually during the same period, compared to just 16,500 in 2022.
It is worth noting that French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire recently emphasized to journalists that the development of the electric vehicle industry in France was essential for the country’s independence from oil producers and car exporters.
“The choice that needs to be made is whether we want to be a country of car producers or a country of consumers. We have chosen to be a great nation of electric vehicle producers”, revealed Le Maire.
