Tolls will increase on February 1, 2023, with rates increasing by approximately 4.75%. At the same time, several motorway networks are announcing 5% discounts for electric cars. How it works ?
The bad news for motorists fell on December 2, 2022, the toll rates in France are increasing at 1er February 2023, to follow inflation. The increases vary, depending on the networks and the toll gates, but the average increase in prices is 4.75% in France. To accompany this announcement, several motorway concessionaires have communicated on additional discounts for certain types of journey, but also for motorists who drive an electric car.
Thus, a 5% discount for electric cars, valid for a period of one year, is recorded on certain motorways. Behind the good news for the finances of some motorists, we realize that the offer is ultimately quite limited in its use. Where and how does this discount for electric cars really work?
A reduction available only on the SANEF/SAPN and APRR/AREA networks
Not all highways offer this discount for electric cars. We can say that France finds itself divided into two parts for the application of this discount. The motorways in northern France dependent on the SANEF/SAPN networks, as well as the networks in eastern France which are owned by APRR and AREA, will offer the 5% discount for electric cars.
On the other hand, the Vinci group, which owns the western and southern motorways, has not followed suit and does not offer any discounts for motorists traveling by electric car on its motorway network.
Some smaller operators may also offer more specific local offers. This is particularly the case for the Mont Blanc Motorways and Tunnel (ATMB) which have an offer, named the scoutallowing up to 70% reduction for electric vehicles.
How does this discount on toll rates work?
This discount is not automatic. It is not because you present yourself at a toll on the A4 motorway in a Tesla that you will benefit from a 5% discount on your toll rate.
To take advantage of the promised discount, you must necessarily use an electronic toll badge. It also involves adopting specific electronic toll subscription formulas for electric vehicles. For the SANEF network, this is the “Electric +” offer, available from Beep&Go. APPR has not yet posted the new formula on its Fulli subscription site.
The electronic toll badge can only be associated with a single electric vehicle, the registration of which is associated with the badge when subscribing. If you already have an electronic toll badge, you will probably have to change formula to be able to benefit from the 5% discount on the motorway network concerned.
An offer ultimately too limited
It will therefore not be so easy to benefit from the 2022 prices on French tolls, over the whole of 2023, because you are driving an electric car. On the one hand, because the offer excludes far too many French motorways, by only concerning the northern and eastern sectors of France, but on the other hand, it encourages people to take out an electronic toll subscription, which can quickly have hidden charges for non-use. This offer is therefore aimed more at regular users of the motorways concerned only to those who go on vacation twice a year by taking the motorway with their electric car.
For daily users of certain stretches of motorways, discounts on short daily and regular journeys will always be more favorable than this electric car badge.
It should be noted, however, that the Sanef and APPR networks are the most active in promoting the transition to electricity. Even if this discount remains restrictive to obtain, the two operators are making great efforts to install terminals on all motorway areas. APRR also announced on January 9 that it had equipped 100% of its service areas charging stations.
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