Daily EV news · France · 15 October 2026
EV Charging
Renault and EDF partner on bidirectional charging rollout from summer 2027
Renault Group and French energy firm EDF have agreed to deploy smart and bidirectional charging solutions for electric vehicles in France, targeting private customers from summer 2027. The package, delivered through Renault dealerships, will bundle home charger installation by EDF subsidiary IZI by EDF with an intelligent charging management service from Dreev. The initiative initially covers single-family homes and aims to cut charging costs while enabling vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid applications.
Why it matters
The partnership creates a new procurement route for residential bidirectional chargers in France, with Renault's dealer network acting as the distribution channel and IZI by EDF handling installation work. CPOs and equipment suppliers targeting the French market will need to track how this OEM-utility tie-up shapes the home charging pipeline from 2027.
Electric Vehicles
French EV group says annual charging costs 420 euros versus 1,200 euros for petrol or diesel
Avere France published a report on 1 October 2026 estimating that drivers spend an average of 420 euros per year charging an electric vehicle, compared with 1,200 euros for petrol or diesel in a combustion car. The association says smart charging can cut that bill by a further 30% to 80% with the right equipment and vehicle, and notes EV maintenance runs roughly 30% lower than for combustion cars.
Why it matters
The three to one fuel cost advantage strengthens the total cost of ownership case that charge point operators and fleet managers use to justify infrastructure investment. Lower running costs also underpin demand forecasts that drive site selection and grid connection planning across France.
Used electric vehicles sell faster than combustion models in France for first time
Used electric vehicles sold in an average of 134 days at professional dealers in France during the third quarter of 2026, compared to 147 days for petrol or diesel models, according to a barometer published by Mobilians, Avere France and AAA Data. The gap marks the first time electric vehicles have resold faster than combustion vehicles in the statistical series, with electric resale times falling from 161 days in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 138 days in the second quarter of 2026 while combustion resale times lengthened over the same period.
Why it matters
Faster resale times for used electric vehicles signal improving residual values and lower holding costs for fleet operators and leasing companies, potentially reducing total cost of ownership calculations that underpin procurement decisions for charge point operators serving commercial fleets.
Paris Motor Show 2026 showcases new EVs from Stellantis, Renault, BYD and Chinese brands
The 2026 Paris Motor Show, running from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October, featured major EV launches including Stellantis models such as the all-electric Citroën 2CV and 816bhp Peugeot E-T16 concept, Renault's E-Space MPV preview, and BYD's Atto 8 with new design language and upmarket cabin. Chinese manufacturers Avatr and Li Auto made their official European debuts at the event.
Why it matters
The show signals intensifying competition in Europe's EV market, with Chinese brands expanding their presence alongside established European manufacturers, which will drive demand for charging infrastructure to support these new vehicle launches. The range of models from city cars to high-performance concepts indicates broadening EV adoption across market segments, requiring diverse charging solutions from CPOs.
Renault updates 4 Electric with LFP entry model and modest range gains
Renault has introduced a new entry level variant of its 4 Electric called Jogging, equipped with a 36.5 kWh LFP battery offering 305 km WLTP range and a 110 horsepower motor. The update, arriving 18 months after the model's launch, also brings minor aerodynamic improvements across the range, lifting WLTP figures by 2 km to 8 km depending on variant, with the 52 kWh NMC version now rated at 415 km. Renault has indicated that a significantly longer range offering will not arrive until 2027.
Why it matters
The shift to LFP chemistry at the entry level signals cost reduction efforts that may influence fleet procurement decisions, while the modest range improvements suggest charging infrastructure planning for this model can remain largely unchanged. The 2027 timeline for meaningful range upgrades gives charge point operators a clear window for current infrastructure capacity planning around Renault's compact EV segment.