On April 9, Damien Adam's bill on the greening of commercial fleets took a decisive step forward, despite a lively session. Validated by the French National Assembly's sustainable development commission in its first examination, the bill provoked strong reactions and the addition of several amendments.
Genesis of the proposed law
The bill presented by Renaissance MP Damien Adam is part of a drive to strengthen decarbonization policies for car fleets in France. The main aim is to encourage companies to integrate more electric vehicles into their fleets, thereby accelerating the sector's ecological transition. This initiative echoes previous commitments, notably those established by the Mobility Orientation Act (LOM) and the Climate Law, which have already paved the way for more sustainable mobility.
However, Damien Adam and his supporters believe that these measures are not enough. In their view, without an effective system of controls and sanctions, the objectives of greening fleets will remain a dead letter. The proposed law therefore seeks to establish a stricter framework, with shorter application deadlines and significant fines for recalcitrant companies.
Debates and amendments: a stormy road to adoption
The adoption of Damien Adam's bill by the French National Assembly's Sustainable Development Committee on April 9 was not without its problems. The session, marked by tense exchanges, reflected the divisions and concerns of the various political players faced with the implications of this text. Damien Adam's inflexibility regarding the ambitious decarbonization objectives caused friction, leading several MPs to abandon the session. Among them was Bruno Millienne of the MoDem party, previously rapporteur for the Low Emission Zones (ZFE) mission.
The original text was considerably modified by a series of amendments. The nine amendments revised the timetable for electrification quotas, proposing more flexible deadlines. As a result, the greening stages have been shifted by one year, lowering the 30% threshold initially scheduled for 2025 to 20%, and reducing the target from 95% in 2032 to 90%. These adjustments reflect the search for a balance between ecological imperatives and companies' operational constraints.
Tougher penalties and regulatory clarifications
The proposed law on the greening of fleets also clarified the penalties for non-compliance with the new electrification quotas. The amendments adopted provide for a gradation of fines, increasing the pressure on companies to comply with the requirements. From January 1, 2026, financial penalties will come into force, with retroactive application to breaches detected as early as 2025. Penalties will range from 2,000 euros per missing vehicle in 2025, to 4,000 euros in 2026, rising to 5,000 euros in 2027.
The text has also been clarified with regard to the obligation to transmit fleet data. Initially, a company failing to provide such data risked a fine capped at 10,000 euros, which could be doubled in the event of a repeat offence. An amendment has revised this provision, now stating that the fine should not exceed "0.1% of French sales excluding taxes for the last completed financial year", thus introducing a variable proportional to the size of the company concerned.
Focus on what's new and more flexible
Damien Adam's bill, while strengthening penalties, also introduced innovative measures and greater flexibility to encourage the greening of vehicle fleets. Among the new measures is the inclusion of the eco-score as a selection criterion for electric vehicles purchased or leased by companies. This measure aims to give preference to the most environmentally virtuous models. As a result, an electric vehicle with a good eco-score will be counted as 1.2 units when the fleet is renewed, offering a significant bonus to companies that opt for the most efficient vehicles.
In addition, amendments have softened the initial position regarding the exclusion of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The law now opens the door to retrofitted vehicles (conversion of thermal vehicles to electric), as well as heavy quadricycles and motorized tricycles, broadening the spectrum of options available to companies. However, attempts to bring hybrid vehicles and biofuels back into the scope of this law were rejected, maintaining a guideline geared towards pure electrification.
A specific amendment also concerns short-term rental and car-sharing operators. Recognizing the specific features of this segment, the law proposes a suitable electrification timetable, with progressive targets and a review clause in 2027 to assess the effectiveness of the measures and adjust the trajectory if necessary.
Reactions and outlook
Damien Adam's draft law has elicited a wide range of reactions within the automotive industry and among those involved in the ecological transition of fleets. While some see the text as a necessary step forward in speeding up the switch to less polluting vehicles, others have reservations about the feasibility of the targets set and the impact on business activities.
Short-term rental companies and haulage firms, in particular, welcomed the adjustments and relaxations introduced by the amendments, stressing the importance of regulations tailored to market realities and operational constraints.
On the other hand, critical voices have been raised, including among some MPs who left the committee meeting in protest. They question the ambition of the electrification quotas and the rigidity of the penalties, arguing that the proposed law could place excessive pressure on companies. Particularly in a context where the supply of electric vehicles and the recharging infrastructure remain perfectible.
Avere-France, the association for the development of electric mobility, called for vigilance to maintain a high level of ambition and avoid a weakening of targets that would compromise the sector's decarbonization efforts. The association underlines the growing maturity of electric vehicle offerings and recharging solutions, which now meet a large proportion of the needs of professionals.
A number of other labels have also been introduced to speed up the transition to electric power, including ESG criteria and the CSRD directive.
The plenary session scheduled for April 30 will be a key moment for the future of this bill. It will provide an opportunity for debate on the best ways to reconcile ecological imperatives and economic realities, paving the way for possible adjustments before final adoption.
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