Daily EV news · France · 4 November 2026
EV Charging
TotalEnergies opens its first 1,000 kW Megawatt Charging System lane for electric trucks at Phalsbourg in Moselle
TotalEnergies has commissioned its first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) in France, on the AS 24 multi-energy station at Phalsbourg in Moselle, close to the A4 freight corridor between France and Germany. The site already had six CCS charge points and now adds an MCS lane fed by a 1,000 kW cabinet, which the group says charges twice as fast as current high power chargers, taking a compatible truck battery from 20% to 80% in under 30 minutes. The station also serves as a pilot site, where TotalEnergies research teams test MCS-compatible trucks and measure the charging curve, power actually delivered, infrastructure reliability and charger to vehicle communication, according to French trade coverage of the inauguration.
Why it matters
TotalEnergies joins competitors already operating MCS, so megawatt charging for heavy goods vehicles is moving from trial towards a competitive offer on key cross-border corridors. For CPOs and procurement teams, the pilot's data on real delivered power and charger to vehicle interoperability will be a useful benchmark when specifying 1,000 kW hardware.
Electric Vehicles
Renault CEO warns European car output could halve after 2030 without EU action on Chinese competition
Renault chief executive François Provost told journalists in London, as reported by Reuters, that vehicle production in Europe could fall to half its historical average shortly after 2030 if the EU does not act to protect it. He cited a cost gap, saying Chinese manufacturers can import vehicles into Europe with costs 30% to 40% lower than European industrial players, a difference he considers impossible to close under current conditions. He is calling for measures to safeguard factories and jobs, with hundreds of thousands of roles across plants and suppliers at stake.
Why it matters
Pressure for EU trade or local content measures could reshape the supply of vehicles and components that charging demand forecasts depend on, and shift the mix between European and Chinese EV brands on the road. CPOs and procurement teams should watch how policy outcomes affect fleet electrification timelines, vehicle pricing and the sourcing of charging hardware.
Renault Group unveils Forefront Concept, a remotely operated electric vehicle for military use
Renault Group has developed the Forefront Concept, an all-electric, all-wheel-drive modular vehicle with dual motors, four-wheel steering and a projected range of roughly 250 miles (400 kilometres) on a full charge, according to the report. John Cockerill designed the remote-operation and autonomy functions, and the French armed forces will use the vehicle in exercises and trials in the coming weeks before Renault refines it. An add-on range extender can lengthen the driving distance, but Renault did not state the battery capacity.
Why it matters
Defence-oriented EV platforms built from proven automotive components point to a possible new source of demand for non-standard charging and energy support in field settings. With no battery capacity disclosed and a range extender in the mix, charging requirements remain unclear, so CPOs and suppliers should treat this as an early signal rather than a procurement opportunity.
Tesla Model 3 airbag recall in France covers cars built from 30 June 2024 to 8 May 2026
Recall SR/02850/26 was published on France's RappelConso on 16 October 2026 and updated on 30 October. It covers Model 3 vehicles built from 30 June 2024 to 8 May 2026 with identification e4*2007/46*1293*(003), and the defect concerns an airbag that deploys poorly in a side impact against a pole. Bevolt reported on 3 November that Tesla confirms Model 3 Premium cars of model years 2024 to 2026 are affected, and Tesla's French support says this means left hand drive vehicles. Model name and model year alone are not enough, so only the VIN settles whether a car is included.
Why it matters
Fleet operators, including CPOs running Model 3 vehicles for site operations, and buyers of used Model 3 cars in France should check each VIN against the campaign. The listing is not new, but the correction process has become clearer, so affected vehicles can now be scheduled for repair.
BYD France offers discounts of €3,500 to €13,400 on November 2026 orders
BYD France is advertising discounts on new cars ordered from 1 to 30 November 2026, ranging from €3,500 on the ATTO 3 Design to €13,400 on the TANG (Flashship). Only one line depends on public support, the €365 CEE bonus offered "if eligible", which on the DOLPHIN SURF Boost example is a little under 9% of the total displayed reduction, with the rest a commercial discount. The offers cover private buyers at participating dealers, apply to an order period with no delivery guarantee, and were cross-checked by L'Argus on 3 November.
Why it matters
French EV demand in this campaign is driven mainly by manufacturer discounting rather than public aid, which matters when forecasting vehicle uptake and the charging load that follows. Because the offers are tied to orders rather than confirmed deliveries, CPOs and buyers should treat any resulting volume as uncertain in timing.