France kicks off 2018 with anti-pollution incentives:

Up to €1000 for any French citizen who wants to replace their old petrol-engine cars for those emitting less carbon dioxide, €3,000 for poorer households to switch to renewables-powered heating systems and an increase in the price of carbon.

These are three measures, part of France’s “climate solidarity package”, came into force in 2018 as the country works towards meeting its Paris Agreement commitment to go carbon neutral by 2050.

The country also aims to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.

Highlights include the following:

~ Households with modest incomes can access up to €2,000 as an incentive to switch their new or used petrol cars (registered before 1997) and diesel cars (registered before 2001) to vehicles that emit less than 130g of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Other citizens get a €1,000 incentive for this decision.

~ To buy an electric car, the incentive rises to €2,500, on top of a €6,000 subsidy.

~ For households of modest means who want to switch from old heating systems to new ones powered by renewables, an incentive of €2,000 to €3,000 is available.

~ Tax credits on insulation works.

~ The carbon tax increases from €30.50 in 2017 to €44.60 per tonnes in 2018. The target is €100 per tonne in 2030.

Francophones can read more here.