France Launches Ambitious €4.5 Billion Annual Plan to Electrify Economy and Slash Fossil Fuel Dependency by 2035

On April 23, 2026, the French government unveiled a sweeping national strategy to electrify the economy and dramatically reduce fossil fuel consumption, aiming to transition from 60% dependence in 2023 to below 30% by 2035. The comprehensive plan consists of 22 measures and targets key sectors including transport, industry, agriculture, and buildings.

The government plans to boost annual funding for electrification to nearly €4.5 billion by 2030, supplementing existing investments of €5.5 billion. This financing will support a surge in electric vehicle adoption, targeting two-thirds of new cars to be electric by 2030 and ramping up production mandates requiring French automakers to produce one million electric vehicles annually by that year. It also emphasizes installing one million heat pumps per year by 2030 and phasing out subsidies for renovations that retain gas heating. These measures aim to leverage France’s 95% decarbonized electricity supply, primarily from nuclear and renewables.

According to the government, electricity's share in energy consumption is expected to rise from 27% today to 38% by 2035 and surpass 50% by 2050. The strategy also commits to reallocating energy savings certificates to building, industrial, and transport sectors to accelerate the transition. Supporting nearly 600,000 workers in relevant industries, the plan is designed to boost French reindustrialization, strengthen energy sovereignty amid current Middle East geopolitical instability, and drive cleaner, more cost-effective energy use.

Significant aims include enhancing the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and encouraging electrification in small businesses, agriculture, fishing, and construction. The government highlighted household savings potential of €800 to €1,500 annually from electric vehicle adoption.

Key components of the plan, such as the discontinuation of MaPrimeRénov’ subsidies for gas-heating-retaining renovations effective September 2026, underline the commitment to prompt change. The French electricity union has expressed strong support, acknowledging the plan’s critical role ahead of upcoming presidential debates.

This bold initiative seeks to position France as a leader in the clean energy transition, promoting economic competitiveness while reducing environmental impact and dependence on costly fossil fuel imports that currently exceed €60 billion annually.