- Biden begins historic Amazon trip amid Trump climate fears
- Dozens killed, missing in Israeli strike on devastated north Gaza
- Macron defends French farmers in talks with Argentina's Milei
- England players to blame for losing streak says captain George
- 'Emotional' Martin defies Bagnaia to claim first MotoGP world championship
- Slovakia beat Australia to reach BJK Cup semi-finals
- Sluggish Italy fight to narrow win over Georgia
- India and Nigeria renew ties as Modi visits
- Grit and talent, a promise and a dilemma: three things about Jorge Martin
- Martin denies Bagnaia to win first MotoGP world championship
- Typhoon Man-yi weakens as it crosses Philippines' main island
- Noel wins season-opening slalom in Levi as Hirscher struggles
- Tough questions for England as Springboks make it five defeats in a row
- Russia pounds Ukraine with 'massive' attack in 'hellish' night
- McIlroy clinches Race to Dubai title with DP World Tour Championship win
- Glastonbury 2025 tickets sell out in 35 minutes
- 迪拜棕榈岛索菲特美憬阁酒店: 五星級健康綠洲
- The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel: Пятизвездочный велнес-оазис
- New Zealand win revives France on their road to 2027 World Cup
- The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel: A five-star wellness Oasis
- Israel hits Gaza and Lebanon in deadly strikes
- Power cuts as Russian missiles pound Ukraine's energy grid
- Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig crowned Miss Universe 2024
- Dutch police use hologram to try and decode sex worker's murder
- Israel bombs south Beirut after Hezbollah targets Haifa area
- Biden in historic Amazon trip as Trump return sparks climate fears
- India hails 'historic' hypersonic missile test flight
- Israel orders Beirut residents to flee after Hezbollah targets Haifa area
- Davis, LeBron power Lakers over Pelicans as Celtics win in OT
- Trump and allies return to New York for UFC fights
- Hong Kong political freedoms in spotlight during bumper trial week
- Debt-saddled Laos struggles to tame rampant inflation
- Senna, Schumacher... Beganovic? Macau GP showcases future F1 stars
- India's vinyl revival finds its groove
- G20 tests Brazil's clout in Lula 3.0 era
- Over 20,000 displaced by gang violence in Haiti: UN agency
- Famed gymastics coach Bela Karolyi dies
- 'Break taboos': Josep Borrell wraps up time as EU's top diplomat
- Climate finance can be hard sell, says aide to banks and PMs
- Trump revives 'peace through strength,' but meaning up to debate
- New York auction records expected for a Magritte... and a banana
- Egypt's middle class cuts costs as IMF-backed reforms take hold
- Beirut businesses struggle to stay afloat under Israeli raids
- Dupont lauds France 'pragmatism' in tight New Zealand win
- Swiatek leads Poland into maiden BJK Cup semi-final
- Trump taps fracking magnate and climate skeptic as energy chief
- West Indies restore pride with high-scoring win over England
- Hull clings to one-shot lead over Korda, Zhang at LPGA Annika
- Xi tells Biden ready for 'smooth transition' to Trump
- Trump nominates fracking magnate and climate skeptic as energy secretary
France suspends subsidised electric car scheme after surge
The French government said Monday it was suspending a scheme to lease electric cars from just 100 euros ($109) a month after subsidising more than double the number of vehicles planned for 2024.
President Emmanuel Macron's administration launched the scheme in December 2023 to make electric vehicles affordable to low-income households and reduce carbon emissions in France.
The scheme initially planned to subsidise up to 25,000 European-built electric vehicles this year, but it doubled the number following huge demand.
"It's a real success story, emblematic of French environmental policy: good for the wallet and good for the planet," said an advisor to the president.
Eligible French residents could rent a car without a deposit for three years and renew the subscription once, supported by a subsidy of up to 13,000 euros for each car.
In addition to income eligibility conditions, applicants must need a car to travel to a job more than 15 km (9 miles) away from home.
The French government indicated it plans to relaunch the scheme at the end of 2024 for 2025.
"What's great about this scheme (...) is that you're both giving people who aren't necessarily well-off access to a cheap electric vehicle and producing more French vehicles. We have to manage to do both", French Industry and Energy Minister Roland Lescure said on France 3 television on Sunday.
P.Hernandez--AT