E85 and LPG: New Incentives for Alternative Fuels in Orne

The Orne department is implementing new financial aid programs for the installation of an E85 bioethanol and LPG kit for gasoline-powered cars. Here are the details.

If you are a regular reader of Mobiwisy, you have likely read with pleasure our comparison dossier between E85 bioethanol and LPG! These two alternative solutions allow drivers to operate more in harmony with the environment, without investing in an expensive electric or plug-in hybrid car.

It is important to recall that installing an approved E85 bioethanol device mainly ensures compliance with law enforcement and avoids the risk of fines during inspections or issues with your insurance in case of an accident. The registration certificate is free, and the cost per liter is about €0.80. Despite higher consumption (read our E85/LPG dossier), E85 is very advantageous if you drive a lot, but installation costs can exceed €1,000! Note that installing an E85 kit does not alter the Crit’Air sticker, so it does not affect access to low-emission zones.

Installing a LPG kit is more laborious, as it is technically more complex. But it is often worth the effort. While the initial installation cost can be high (up to €3,000 for some large-cylinder models), it allows you to benefit from the renowned Crit’Air 1 sticker and access city centers. Moreover, LPG often improves performance, even if fuel consumption is higher. Fortunately, the fuel price at the pump is very attractive, with LPG at €0.90 per liter.

A Salute-Worthy Initiative

Interested in these alternatives, the Orne departmental council has just approved financial aid to encourage residents, highly dependent on fossil fuels, to switch to new fuels.

“This new departmental policy, easily accessible to everyone, allows us to take positive action for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore improves air quality, a major public health issue. It also represents concrete support for the people of Orne, in response to the issue of decreasing purchasing power“, explains Christophe de Balorre, President of the Departmental Council.

To do this, the department offers two types of aid:

Starting January 1, 2023, it will be possible to receive a €200 discount for installing an E85 bioethanol kit, and €400 for LPG kit installation.

No income conditions are required to be eligible for this scheme. The installation must be carried out by an approved professional, and the grant application must be submitted using a form before work begins. Finally, only one application per household will be accepted over a 5-year period.

Also read: Bioethanol E85: exponential growth of conversions in France