France ponders a car tax to fund road maintenance

French transport minister Elisabeth Borne is considering a tax on new cars to boost funds for road maintenance, according to media reports. Media reports that the country, once the top-ranked country for the condition of its roads, has dropped to seventh place due to issues over maintenance leading to an increased risk to users.
December 20, 2017 Read time: 1 min
French transport minister Elisabeth Borne is considering a tax on new cars to boost funds for road maintenance, according to media reports.


Media reports that the country, once the top-ranked country for the condition of its roads, has dropped to seventh place due to issues over maintenance leading to an increased risk to users.

A new car tax between €75-125 per vehicle – there are nearly 9 million cars in France - could generate an estimated €3-billion annually.

A car tax is one of several options for the government which will publish its preferences in January.

Other options are an increase in petrol tax and the introduction of a per-kilometre charge for both trucks and cars.

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