What are the regional incentives for converting to bioethanol?

Faced with the outrageous fuel prices at the pump, a solution exists: conversion to Bioethanol. Although the kits are expensive, there are fortunately aid programs depending on the region.

After a relative lull in pump prices, linked to discounts granted by the government and some oil companies, prices have significantly risen again and are not expected to drop much as long as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine persists. This is not the only factor driving up prices, as euro-dollar parity also influences fuel prices, not to mention the staggering taxes in France.

Therefore, you should expect to pay about €1.95 per liter of Super 95 at a large surface station in Yvelines (78), compared to €1.10 for a liter of E85 bioethanol, which is still well below its pre-crisis level, when it was more common to count on about €0.85/liter.

If you wish to install a bioethanol conversion kit, note that it will cost between €800 and €1,600 depending on your vehicle. This substantial sum can, depending on your place of residence, be mitigated by a regional subsidy. Here’s our France overview (source aide-sociale.fr):

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

No regional assistance has been implemented, but some municipalities are participating nonetheless. As we write these lines, here are the details:

La Tour du Pin (Isère — 38) : up to 50% covered.
Mornant (Rhône — 69) : up to €500 aid depending on the beneficiary’s family quotient.
The Community of Communes of Pays Mornantais (Rhône — 69) : up to €450 aid depending on the applicant’s family quotient.
Grigny (Rhône — 69) : €100 aid (+ €100 additional under certain income conditions).

Hauts-de-France

The region offers aid covering 40% of the E85 conversion cost (with a cap at €400) for car owners older than 2 years and with less than 10 fiscal horsepower. This aid can be combined with the local aids listed below:

For the department of the Somme : aid of 20% of the conversion cost (with a cap at €150).
For the department of Aisne : aid of 20% (cap at €200) or 40% (cap at €400) depending on the applicant’s income.
For the department of Oise : a €300 aid.

Île-de-France

Île-de-France has implemented a €500 aid for bioethanol conversion for vehicle owners with less than 10 fiscal horsepower residing in the region. The application must be made via a dedicated platform within 3 months of installing the E85 kit (see details).

Two municipalities also offer financial assistance:

Dammarie-les-Lys (Seine-et-Marne — 77): 50% covered up to €400 for cars with a maximum of 8 fiscal horsepower and registered after 2000.
Montereau-Fault-Yonne (Seine-et-Marne — 77): 50% covered up to €400.

Normandie

Since January 1, 2023, the department of Orne offers a €200 assistance for those wishing to equip their petrol vehicle with a conversion kit.

To qualify for this aid, you must meet the following criteria:

Reside in Orne
Own a vehicle that is over 2 years old and less than 18 years old
The subsidy application must be submitted before installing the kit
Only one application per household over a 5-year period

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, only the municipality of Libourne offers a conversion aid. This aid can reach up to €400 depending on resources and the applicant’s family quotient.

To apply, simply visit the regional website: aid for ethanol kit Libourne

Occitanie

In Occitanie, only residents of Lozère can benefit from a financial aid covering 50% of the installation cost, capped at €400. This aid is available for the first 150 installations each year.

The aid will be paid in the form of Cad’O Coeur checks. To benefit from it, you must meet the following criteria:

Reside in Lozère.
Own a vehicle with a power of less than or equal to 6 fiscal CV.

To proceed, visit the Communauté de Communes website: aid for Lozère ethanol kit

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region has established a bioethanol transition check covering 50% of the conversion cost (up to €500). While this aid is granted for only one vehicle per person for private individuals, professionals can receive it for up to 10 vehicles. Additionally, this system is limited to 10,000 vehicles. However, there is also a local subsidy available: