Governments worldwide have promoted electric vehicle adoption, claiming this emerging technology is more cost-effective and sustainable than internal combustion engine vehicles. However, it is not possible for EVs to actually have “zero emissions,” particularly when we look at the production, mining, and even charging process.
In response, France implemented a law against “greenwashing,” which basically prohibits automakers from using the term “carbon neutral” in advertising their products from 2023.
Article L229-68
Article L229-68 of the French Environmental Code forbids car companies in France from claiming in an advertisement that their products or services are carbon neutral. Additionally, the law forbids the use of comparable terms like “zero carbon” or “fully offset” except they deliver the following information:
1. A greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment report that presents the direct/indirect emissions of the product or service;
2. The process by which the GHG emissions of their product/service are avoided, reduced, then offset. Quantified annual progress targets are used to describe the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions reduction;
3. The processes for offsetting remaining greenhouse gas emissions that meet the minimum requirements specified by decree.
Fine
Failure to comply is penalized by up to €100,000 ($105,500) for a legal person. Meanwhile, the fine drops to €20,000 for a natural person.
The government gives the company a month after a non-compliance notice to back up its assertions regarding its carbon footprint.
See Also:
- France to ban short-distance domestic flights by 2023
- France: 14% of new cars are now 100% electric
- France: Plug-in car sales grew 41% in January 2023
- Deal for the first Power interconnector between Ireland and France has been reached
- France’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm is now fully operational
All that said, companies now need to modify their marketing initiatives for the French market. The EV market is still expanding, but France’s new legislation ensures that no buyer is taken advantage of.
