measures to calm the discomfort of motorists

The government lifted the veil this Wednesday on its measures to calm the sling against rising fuel prices which will result in a major event Saturday. At the microphone of RTL, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe detailed three measures concerning the conversion premium, mileage allowances and heating. "I present a very comprehensive plan that aims to provide answers to the concerns of the French, to better support the French, especially the most modest," he says. The Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, François de Rugy, then confirmed and sometimes substantiated these statements at the exit of the Council of Ministers. There will be "neither contributions nor taxes on aid paid by regions or employers, as is already the case for public transport," he said. He also stated, but with less detail, his desire to promote carpooling in 2019 and take for this purpose "financial support measures, exempt from all contributions".

• A doubling of the conversion premium

The Prime Minister has announced the creation of a "super premium to 4000 euros" to the 20% of the most modest French wanting to buy a new or used vehicle that consumes and pollutes less. François de Rugy said that it would be amplified by 1000 euros for new beneficiaries that are taxable households, and "2000 euros for tax-free households that drive a lot, those who live more than 30km from their place of work or who are independent professionals ". According to the government, this could represent 100,000 additional bonuses.

Today, the conversion premium for a non-taxable household wishing to buy a used electric vehicle or a thermal vehicle Crit'air 1 or 2, new or used, amounts to 2000 euros. The state will therefore add 2000 euros to the pot. "A Frenchman who bought a car in the mid-2000s, for example a diesel 206, with the super premium, will be able to buy a newer vehicle, including second hand, like a used C3 gasoline, at 5500 euros. The rest will be 1000 to 1500 euros for a vehicle that consume significantly less. It's a social measure, "explained Édouard Philippe.

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This measure, which will be fully funded by the state budget, will come into effect on 1 January. "This is a way for the state to accompany this transition," said the Prime Minister, who also confirmed a doubling of the initial objective: "We have already made 280,000 premiums for conversion, it is an instrument that works. We will target 1 million conversion bonuses by the end of the five-year period (…) We will make sure that this premium is paid to more French, "he said.

• A tax gesture for big rollers

The state also wants to look into the fate of "big wheels". "We will target the big riders by extending the mileage allowance. Five million French people already use this system. We will expand it, especially for small engines, for those who drive a lot with cars that consume little. It's a tax gesture, "says Philippe. According to him, a "big rider" is a person who performs "60-70 kilometers per day". François de Rugy says and explains that this measure will concern the small powers, capped at 4 fiscal horsepower, which corresponds to the entry-level vehicles city (Clio, Peugeot 208, Citröen C3 …).

• No fuel check

The state will not finance a fuel check like the one set up by the Hauts-de-France. However, Philippe confirms the tax exemption for this benefit for those who benefit in their region. "This fuel check will no longer be declared in taxes. This is a fairly logical accompanying measure of initiatives taken by local authorities, "he explained. The tax exemption will also concern car pooling badistance. As a reminder, the future "mobility law", which must be discussed in the Council of Ministers on November 27, provides for the payment not employers, on a voluntary basis, a package of 400 euros for employees who go to work by bike or carpool.

• An enlargement of the energy check

Édouard Philippe also plans to tackle the heating problem. He announced, as planned, the expansion of the energy check. The target of French involved will reach 5.8 million, against 3.6 million today, detailed François de Rugy. Édouard Philippe also confirmed that next year, its amount will increase from 150 euros on average to 200 euros.

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• A premium for the conversion of boilers

Another measure concerning heating is the introduction of a "conversion bonus" for oil-fired boilers, which could represent "one third of the total cost of conversion". The executive sets a new objective in this respect: "At the end of the next five years, in 10 years, we set ourselves the objective that there is no more heating oil," said Édouard Philippe.

The demonstrators of November 17 in the viewfinder

With this plan, the Prime Minister ensures that the government makes "a considerable effort". It amounts to 500 million euros, in addition to measures already financed. "We have heard the need expressed by the French to be accompanied in this transition because it is difficult," said Philippe. However, the government does not intend to backtrack on future taxes that will affect the fuel January 1 next. "We are not going to cancel the tax increases. We committed during the presidential campaign to organize a system in which we will put on the oil part of the tax levies rather than work. We will not change feet. We will remain consistent, "warns the prime minister. "The state has put the French in a situation of dependence on expensive, foreign and polluting energy. Our goal is to help the French get rid of this dependence, "he said.

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According to government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux, Emmanuel Macron called on the Council of Ministers to respect the anger "expressed by the movement of yellow vests" while doing the same for those who do not participate in the movement and wishing to circulate . The prime minister said he was "attentive to the worries and anger" that will be expressed this November 17 on the roads of the country. But like his Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, he recalls that "the right to demonstrate is organized. We can not do anything. " The sanctions will therefore be applied if the blocking of certain axes puts at risk the safety of the French. "We will take the necessary measures. The right to manifest is through the taking of responsibility of each. The sanctions will of course be applied. The impediment to traffic is punished, "he said.