18:49 17-02-2026

France's tax hikes on diesel vehicles push buyers toward electric cars

France has ramped up pressure on internal combustion engine vehicles, making diesel purchases financially prohibitive. The updated Malus Ecologique now applies from 108 g/km of CO2, with the maximum rate hitting €80,000 for cars emitting over 191 g/km. This progressive system charges more per gram as emissions rise, so even minor specification changes can trigger a tax jump. Meanwhile, a weight tax is also in effect: the threshold drops to 1,500 kg in 2026, with any excess taxed at €10 to €30 per kg. Modern crossovers and minivans automatically fall into high brackets, and hybrids only partially offset penalties through a 200 kg allowance.

Electric vehicles currently enjoy an advantage, as they are exempt from malus taxes until mid-2026. After that, an Eco-Score system will factor in production carbon footprints. Models from countries with "coal-heavy" energy grids could face additional taxes for the first time.

The Peugeot Traveller BlueHDi 180 illustrates this starkly. Priced around €53,000, it incurs an emissions tax of €45,000 and a weight tax of about €5,800. The total post-registration cost exceeds €103,000. For most buyers, diesel becomes simply unaffordable, pushing the market toward abandoning combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles.