![\"Crit'Air](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_GettyImages-475634292.jpg\")
Crit’Air stickers are being used to identify the vehicle\u2019s emissions levels in France(Image: Getty)2. Returning a rental EV with less than 80% charge could result in a \u00a335 surcharge<\/p>\nNavigating French roads in an electric vehicle isn\u2019t always straightforward with emissions regulations, rental rules, and charging access to consider<\/p>\n
More than 1.75m motorists in the UK are expected to drive to France between July and September via Dover, Le Shuttle, and other routes. And based on current EV ownership (4.5% of UK cars) 78,750 of these travellers are estimated to make the journey in their own electric vehicles.<\/p>\n
In addition an estimated 368,000 holidaymakers will rent cars in France this summer with 16.9% expected to choose an electric vehicle \u2013 amounting to 62,192 EV rentals. This means that in total, a record 140,942 Brits are expected to drive electric vehicles in France during the summer months.<\/p>\n
Whether taking your own EV or renting one abroad UK drivers are being urged to plan ahead.<\/p>\n
Navigating French roads in an electric vehicle isn\u2019t always straightforward with emissions regulations, rental rules, and charging access to consider.<\/p>\n
EV expert and director at The Solar Co, George Penny, warns that unprepared UK EV drivers in France this summer risk fines of up to \u00a3981 along with rental and breakdown surcharges.<\/p>\n
He highlights six common mistakes and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n
1. Forgetting your emissions sticker could cost Brits up to \u00a3155<\/p>\n
Mr Penny said: “Over a dozen French cities now have clean air zones in place meaning all vehicles, including electric ones, must display a Crit\u2019Air emissions sticker when driving through these zones. It can be easy to assume that as an EV will produce zero emissions a sticker isn\u2019t required. However travelling without one could land drivers an on-the-spot fine of up to \u20ac180 (\u00a3155).<\/p>\n
“Crit\u2019Air stickers cost just \u20ac4.61 (\u00a34) and are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle. They apply in the majority of France\u2019s urban tourist hotpots including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux. It\u2019s the driver\u2019s responsibility to order the sticker online ahead of travel, though some travel firms or membership services may offer to do so on your behalf.”<\/p>\n
Crit’Air stickers are being used to identify the vehicle\u2019s emissions levels in France(Image: Getty)2. Returning a rental EV with less than 80% charge could result in a \u00a335 surcharge<\/p>\n
“Many French EV rental companies require vehicles to be returned with at least 80% battery charge. Falling short of this could mean a \u20ac35 (\u00a330) fee \u2013 something that often catches out British car renters unfamiliar with the policy,” Mr Penny said.<\/p>\n
“Always check your hire agreement and budget time for charging before your return and be sure to plan how and where you will charge up the car battery before returning it to the rental office to avoid hidden charges.”<\/p>\n
3. Save up to 35% by charging up at Le Shuttle<\/p>\n
Mr Penny said: “Charging up before you cross the channel can significantly cut costs if you\u2019re planning to travel via Le Shuttle \u2013 the Eurotunnel route that connects Folkstone and Calas. The ultra-rapid 210kW and 50kW chargers at Le Shuttle terminals in Folkestone and Calais offer quick charging of between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on your vehicle, as well as great value.<\/p>\n
“At \u00a30.50\/\u20ac0.50 per kWh these chargers are up to 35% cheaper than the UK average of \u00a30.80 per kWh for pay-as-you-go charging. A full charge here could save drivers up to \u00a315 compared to UK forecourt rates. On the return journey prices drop further still at the Calais terminal \u2013 just \u00a30.43 per kWh.”<\/p>\n
4. Watch driving speeds on French motorways to avoid call-out fees of up to \u00a3676<\/p>\n
“Driving at faster speeds can have an impact on your EV\u2019s estimated mileage. With motorway speed limits often 10mph higher than in the UK driving at typically 80mph in France can lead to a drop in mileage of 15%,” Mr Penny said.<\/p>\n
“Driving at these higher speeds uses more energy meaning you\u2019ll need to charge more frequently. For those accustomed to how their EV operates in the UK it can be a shock to find out your battery is draining faster and could mean you don\u2019t make it to your location.<\/p>\n
“Drivers who run out of charge mid-route may be forced to call for roadside assistance or emergency towing with average roadside call-outs in France estimated to be \u20ac792 if not covered by insurance.”<\/p>\n
5. Blue badge-holding EV drivers could be fined \u00a3115<\/p>\n
Mr Penny said: “Despite 30 European countries now allowing UK blue badge holders the right to access disabled spaces with their usual permit EV drivers that use their blue badge for disabled parking in France can face fines of up to \u20ac135 (\u00a3115) this summer. French legislation only accepts the EU Disability Card or the French Carte Mobilit\u00e9 Inclusion (CMI) as a valid disabled parking badge and is yet to follow European counterparts in enabling the widespread use of British blue badges in parking spaces across the nation.”<\/p>\n
6. Get a 5% discount off French road tolls by registering beforehand<\/p>\n
“EV drivers subscribed to France\u2019s automatic toll collection system, T\u00e9l\u00e9p\u00e9age, are entitled to a 5% discount on motorway tolls,” Mr Penny said.<\/p>\n
“You\u2019ll need to sign up for an electronic badge and register your EV with the toll provider in advance but it\u2019s a quick process and the discount is applied automatically at the toll if your vehicle is registered as electric.<\/p>\n
“With the typical French toll fees amounting to \u20ac1 per 10km<\/a> a return trip to the south of France by car could set you back up to \u20ac205 in toll fees meaning spending a few minutes registering your EV beforehand could save you \u20ac10.25.”<\/p>\n Get daily breaking news<\/strong> updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here<\/a>. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Navigating French roads in an electric vehicle isn\u2019t always straightforward with emissions regulations, rental rules, and charging access…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":268831,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[2000,299,36,1229,760],"class_list":{"0":"post-268830","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-france","11":"tag-motors","12":"tag-traffic-and-travel"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114867611195750543","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}