Driving an electric vehicle in France

You want to drive to France this year, but you’re worried about using your electric vehicle? Or you want to hire an EV when you arrive. The good news is that France is well ahead of the UK, there are over 32,000 charging points around the country, and the numbers are set to triple in the short term, with massive investment from the French government.

As well as using European apps and websites like Chargemap and Izivia to find your nearest EV charging points, you can expect there to be some in most cities and larger towns. If in doubt, check for charging points at:

• Service stations

• Outside hotels

• Near busy restaurants

• Major tourist attractions

• On-street parking zones

If you’ve hired a Tesla, you’ll find charging points at all the above, as well as at Tesla dealerships across France. 

How do you pay to charge your electric hire car?

Unlike paying for petrol where you have the choice of using cash or credit card, you’ll need to either have a payment card or app to charge your EV. In France, the most common ones are Izivia or KiWhi, although many car brands also have their own versions. 

Auchan supermarkets usually have EV charging points which are free to use. In general, paying to charge an electric car is cheaper than paying for petrol, meaning it’s not only an eco-friendlier method of travel, but also more economical.