The French government will replace direct discounts for diesel and petrol at the pump with a bonus system, whereby the French with a modest wage will receive a bonus of 100 euros if they need the car to go to work.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced this on Wednesday.
The measure will cost the government a billion euros. An estimated ten million French people earning less than the median will benefit from the premium. According to the prime minister, this is a discount of 10 cents per liter at the pump.
In this way, the French government wants to pay out government support more aggressively to temper the high energy costs. Of course, today, there is still a discount at the pump, but everyone can enjoy that.
The new system will apply from January. French people entitled to the 100 euros must register on the tax authorities’ website, give their number plate and sign a declaration of honour that they need the car to go to work.
The premium will then be paid into their bank account. Unemployed people who apply for a job by car can also receive the premium.