Today, electric cars remain a luxury. Despite advertising campaigns and subsidies, purchasing an electric vehicle is still out of reach for millions of European citizens. The result is paradoxical: those who pollute the most, often because they have no alternative, are the ones at risk of bearing the cost of the ecological transition. A cost that will soon rise further with the introduction of the new ETS 2 system, which will increase the price of fossil fuels in the transport sector.

So why not address what’s truly missing – accessibility?

Let’s start with a fact. The electrification of private transport is inevitable, desirable, and economically advantageous. Electric engines are more efficient, and the cost per kilometre – when charging at home – is lower than that of petrol or diesel. Yet the initial price of an electric vehicle remains prohibitively high for most European households. The second-hand EV market is still underdeveloped. As things stand, the transition risks becoming exclusive.

Social leasing could be the answer.

Social leasing is a subsidised rental scheme designed to make electric vehicles accessible to low-income families. The model relies on direct public support: the state covers a significant portion of the total cost, drastically reducing the monthly payment for the user.

In France, social leasing is already a reality and serves as a model for other Member States. With no upfront payment and a monthly rate of around €150, thousands of citizens can now drive a new electric car. In countries with lower average incomes, this cost would need to be reduced even further. Ambitious, yes, but not impossible, if tackled as a European initiative.

This approach could help revive the automotive sector, currently struggling due to global competition, by aggregating demand at the EU level, stimulating domestic vehicle production, and enabling genuine access to clean mobility for millions of people. Focusing solely on luxury or “premium” models excludes the majority of the population.

A social leasing programme is fully compatible with existing EU funding mechanisms. In the long term, the Social Climate Fund represents the most suitable instrument to ensure its stability and expansion, building on the lessons learned from the French experience.