A second penalty for cars over 1300 kilos?

What is the amendment adopted Monday? It introduces a new penalty of 15 euros per kilogram beyond 1,300 kg for thermal vehicles, and more than 1,700 kg for electric vehicles (400 kg more, especially to take into account the weight of batteries). For large families, the threshold is raised by 300 kg from the third child for a thermal vehicle, and 550 kg for an electric vehicle. Finally, the total amount of the penalty can not exceed 10.000 euros.

If the text only defines the amount of the penalty and not that of the bonus, it is "because the parliamentarians do not have the possibility of adding loads to the State", specifies the deputy Matthieu Orphelin (ex-LREM ), who is the initiator of the amendment, including the Chair of the Committee on Sustainable Development Barbara Pompili (LREM) and MP Eric Alauzet (LREM).

"We can see a gap between the new CO2 emissions targets from 2020 (95 g / km, ed) and the reality that emissions from new cars are rising (reaching 112 g / km in 2018, ed), "continues Matthieu Orphelin, contacted by LCI Tuesday. This stall is detailed in a report by France Stratégie, a body attached to Matignon, entitled "How to finally reduce the CO2 emissions of cars".

The author of the report, the scientific adviser Nicolas Meilhan, observes that "for 20 years, the CO2 emissions of new cars in real driving conditions have hardly decreased", particularly because of the increase in average weight vehicles, partly linked to the commercial success of SUVs. This increase in weight has been quantified at "10 kg per year in 50 years in France". That's 500 kg per car. But if a vehicle is heavier, it needs more energy to move forward, and its construction has generated more greenhouse gases.

If the amendment passed Monday in committee came into force, it would increase the price of certain vehicles. The editors of the text took the example of a Peugeot 3008, which would receive a penalty of 1,500 euros because of its weight (unless the household has three or more children). Another example: a Renault Grand Scenic dCi 150 would be taxed 6,825 euros because of its 455 kilos in excess, or 2,325 euros if the family has at least three children. More luxurious and very heavy electric models, like the Tesla Model X and the Audi e-tron, would reach the ceiling of the malus, that is 10,000 euros, and the electric Porsche Taycan would be taxed up to 9.075 euros.

To believe Matthew Orphelin, who had already tried in vain to pass a similar amendment in the Mobilities Act, this time could be the right one. "Now, this is no longer a confidential subject, and everyone realizes that the bonus-malus system is no longer effective," said the elected Maine-et-Loire. His amendment also finds support outside the Sustainable Development Committee, in this case in the Finance Committee, with MP Émilie Cariou (LREM). Matthieu Orphelin will try to convince other parliamentarians in the weeks to come, during the examination of the finance bill, but admits that "there is still work".

As for the government, which is already blamed for a sharp increase in the CO2 penalty from 2020, will it agree to add another tax? "I believe that a dialogue can engage with him on this measure", hopes the deputy, deemed close to Nicolas Hulot. Too optimistic? In any case, he seems satisfied with having stepped into the door. "And if it does not happen this year, maybe next year …"