Energy Check: Can It Be Used for Your Electric Car?

The government grants a 3rd “exceptional” energy check in December 2022. How much, and who can benefit from this aid for electricity?

To support the French people during inflation, the government has already taken many measures: a tariff shield in 2022, an energy check in the spring, and even a fuel check. It is even granting a third “exceptional” check to help with the winter’s arrival.

What is the amount of the check? And who is it for? 

This new exceptional energy check does not concern all French citizens. Only the most modest may expect to receive this aid, which varies from €100 to €200 depending on the taxable income reference. The government estimates that 12 million households will be able to receive it. Here is the amount based on RFR per consumption unit (RFR/UC):

• €100 for RFR below €10,800
• €200 for RFR between €10,800 and €17,400

Sent to your home in the coming days, the energy check will be valid until March 31, 2023. It can also be pre-allocated to your energy provider, either deducted from the next bills.

What can the exceptional energy check reimburse?

The Ministry of Ecological Transition specifies the terms of this national aid. Eligible individuals can use it to cover:

• Electricity, gas, domestic fuel oil, and other heating fuels (wood, etc.) bills
• Heating charges included in the rent of social housing assisted with the personalized housing aid (APL), nursing homes, assisted living residences, autonomous living residences, institutions, and long-term care units;
• Certain expenses related to energy-efficient renovations of the home through a certified professional “Recognized Guarantor of the Environment” (RGE).

3 to 6 months of free at-home recharging!

Thus, it will be possible, through the electricity bill, to reimburse your recharges at home for an electric or plug-in hybrid car. For example, an average distance of 1000 km with a family car consuming 20 kWh/100 km, at EDF’s regulated price of €0.174/kWh, amounts to about €35 of electricity.

In theory, the exceptional energy check reimburses 3 to 6 months of recharging. For a compact or city car consuming under 15 kWh/100 km, it’s even 4 to 8 months!

Also read: Electric car, how much does recharging cost?