Decarbonising Transport: Hydrogen’s Role in France’s Strategy

As part of the revision of the SNBC (National Low Carbon Strategy) and the PPE (Multi-Annual Energy Program), currently open for consultation until December 16, the French government is focusing on a range of solutions.

In the transport sector, as detailed by Minister François Durovray , France aims to significantly increase the share of electric vehicles. By 2030, the goal is to raise the proportion of new electric vehicle sales to 66% (up from 17% today) and to achieve a 15% share of electric vehicles in the total fleet (compared to the current 2.2%). In line with the upcoming 2035 ban on internal combustion engines, the government is determined to accelerate these efforts.

However, electric vehicles are not the only path forward. The plan also includes boosting biofuel usage by 40% by 2030, with projections of 50 to 55 TWh by the decade’s end. This target encompasses all sectors using biofuels, including land, air, and maritime transport.

For hydrogen, electrolysis capacity is set to reach 6.5 GW by 2030, with a target of 8 GW by 2035. The aim is to use this production to “decarbonising existing practices” and “address new demands for clean hydrogen,” particularly in industry and transport, according to the government document.

Overall, the objective is to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 31% and cut energy consumption by 20% in the transport sector by 2030 compared to 2022 levels,” says Minister Durovray. Transport currently accounts for 32% of France’s CO₂ emissions.

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