Electric Vehicles: Tips for driving an EV in France this summer

Driving electric in France this summer? These 6 common mistakes could cost you up to £981 in fines and fees.

Over 1.75m British drivers are expected to drive to France between July and September via Dover, Le Shuttle and other routes. 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.

In addition, an estimated 368,000 UK holidaymakers will rent cars in France this summer, with 16.9% expected to choose an electric vehicle – 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.

Whether taking your own EV or renting one abroad, UK drivers are being urged to plan ahead. 

Navigating French roads in an electric vehicle isn’t always straightforward, with emissions regulations, rental rules, and charging access to consider.

George Penny, Solar Expert and Director at The Solar Co, warns that unprepared UK EV drivers in France this summer risk fines of up to £981, along with rental and breakdown surcharges. He highlights six common mistakes and how to avoid them.

6 costly mistakes British EV drivers should avoid in France this summer to avoid losing up to £981

1. Forgetting your emissions sticker could cost Brits up to £155

Over a dozen French cities now have clean air zones in place meaning all vehicles, including electric ones, must display a Crit’Air emissions sticker when driving through these zones. It can be easy to assume that as an EV will produce zero emissions, a sticker isn’t required, however travelling without one could land drivers an on-the-spot fine of up to €180 (£155).

Crit’Air stickers cost just €4.61 (£4) and are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle. They apply in the majority of France’s urban tourist hotpots, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux. It’s the driver’s responsibility to order the sticker online ahead of travel, though some travel firms or membership services may offer to do so on your behalf.

2. Returning a rental EV with less than 80% charge could result in a £35 surcharge

Many French EV rental companies require vehicles to be returned with at least 80% battery charge. Falling short of this could mean a €35 (£30) fee – something that often catches out British car renters unfamiliar with the policy. 

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.

3. Save up to 35% by charging up at Le Shuttle 

Charging up before you cross the channel can significantly cut costs if you’re planning to travel via Le Schuttle – 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. 

At £0.50/€0.50 per kWh, these chargers are up to 35% cheaper than the UK average of £0.80 per kWh for pay-as-you-go charging. A full charge here could save drivers up to £15 compared to UK forecourt rates. On the return journey, prices drop further still at the Calais terminal – just £0.43 per kWh.

4. Watch driving speeds on French motorways to avoid call out fees of up to £676

Driving at faster speeds can have an impact on your EV’s 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%.

Driving at these higher speeds uses more energy, meaning you’ll 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’t make it to your location. 

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 €792 if not covered by insurance.

5. Blue Badge holding EV drivers could be fined £115 

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 €135 (£115) this summer. French legislation only accepts the EU Disability Card or the French Carte Mobilité 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. 

6. Get a 5% discount off French road tolls by registering beforehand

EV drivers subscribed to France’s automatic toll collection system, Télépéage, are entitled to a 5% discount on motorway tolls. You’ll need to sign up for an electronic badge and register your EV with the toll provider in advance – but it’s a quick process and the discount is applied automatically at the toll if your vehicle is registered as electric.

With the typical French toll fees amounting to €1 per 10km, a return trip to the South of France by car could set you back up to €205 in toll fees, meaning spending a few minutes registering your EV beforehand could save you €10.25

If you’re looking for electric vehicle charging installation points within UK homes, visit The Solar Co for support and advice on a range of solar solutions.

Notes to editors

Number of Brits to drive EVs in France calculated by combining figures for vehicles entering France via Dover-Calais, Le Shuttle, and other ferry crossing routes, with an estimate of 4.5% of cars being EVs based on the UK’s 2025 EV ownership rates. The number of Brits estimated to rent a car in France is estimated to be 368,000 – this is based on overall British travel numbers to France, divided by four to provide a quarterly estimate (estimated to be 2.3m for July-Sep 2025) – of this, 16% are estimated to rent a car based on reporting by British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, with 16.9% of this figure estimated to be an electric vehicle based on current prevalence of EVs in France. 

About George Penny

Based in Bromley, George Penny is the Director of The Solar Co. He has a passion for leading the UK’s transition to efficient and reliable renewable solutions for households and businesses alike. 

About The Solar Co

The Solar Co is a leading UK-based renewable energy installer specialising in solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging solutions for residential, commercial, and new-build properties. Serving London and the South East, including areas like Bromley, Kent, and Croydon, the company is committed to helping customers reduce energy bills and carbon footprints through high-quality, MCS-certified installations.

With a focus on customer education and support, The Solar Co offers an interactive savings calculator, transparent consultations, and assistance with grant applications. 

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