British EV drivers travelling in France this summer should avoid these 7 costly mistakes

A record 162,754 Brits are expected to drive or rent electric vehicles in France between July and September this summer, as more UK holidaymakers take their own EVs abroad or hire one locally, with the cost of flying having rocketed since the start of the Iran War.

But while France has one of Europe’s largest EV charging networks, driving electric across the country is not always straightforward. From clean-air stickers and charging bay rules to rental return fees and satnav settings, UK drivers could face up to £1,600 in fines alone, and around £1,700 once avoidable charging and rental costs are included.

George Penny, EV Charging Expert and Director at The Solar Co, is warning Brits about seven common mistakes that could cost EV drivers time and money this summer,  and explains how to avoid them.

1. Forgetting your emissions sticker could cost up to £155

“Over a dozen French towns and cities now have clean air zones in place, meaning all vehicles, including EVs, must display a Crit’Air emissions sticker when driving through them. EV drivers need the green Crit’Air 0/E sticker, which should be fixed clearly to the right-hand side of the windscreen. Travelling without one could land drivers an on-the-spot fine of up to €180 (£155).

Crit’Air stickers cost just €3.75 (£3.24), are valid for the lifetime of the vehicle, and apply in major tourist hotspots including Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Drivers can check the full list of towns and cities requiring a sticker, and apply for one, on the official French government Crit’Air website before travelling.”

2.  “EV drivers can be fined £30 for using a charging bay incorrectly”

“EV drivers can also be fined for using charging bays incorrectly. In France, parking in an EV charging space without actually charging can be treated as improper parking, even if the vehicle itself is electric. Drivers who block access to a charger could face a fixed fine of €35 (£30), with vehicles also at risk of being towed in some areas.

“To avoid being caught out, drivers should only use marked charging bays while actively plugged in and move their vehicle once charging is complete.”

3. Improvised street charging could risk a £116 fine

“EV drivers staying at holiday rentals may be tempted to run a charging cable from the property to a car parked on the street, but this can cause problems if the cable crosses a pavement or public space. Even if the vehicle is charging safely from the driver’s point of view, a trailing cable could be treated as an obstruction or trip hazard if it blocks pedestrian access.

“Drivers could risk a fine of up to €135 (£116) if the vehicle or cable obstructs the pavement, and may also be liable if someone trips or is injured. To avoid issues, EV drivers should only charge from private driveways, dedicated charging bays or locations where the cable does not cross public space.”

4. Not checking charging prices could cost almost £78 extra

“EV charging costs in France can vary dramatically depending on which app, RFID card or operator is used. French consumer group Que Choisir found examples of the same charger costing from €0.30/kWh to €1.78/kWh, meaning drivers who do not check the price before plugging in could pay far more than expected.

“For anyone caught out and needing a full 60kWh charge at the top-end rate, that could cost around €107 (£92), compared with just €18 (£16) at the cheapest rate - a difference of almost €90 (£78) for the same amount of electricity.”

5. Returning a rental EV with too little charge could cost around £30

British drivers renting an EV in France should check the battery return rules before setting off, as policies vary by rental company. Europcar requires EVs to be returned with at least 80% charge, Avis says 70%, while Enterprise often works on a like-for-like basis, meaning the car should be returned with at least the same charge level it had at pick-up.

Falling short could mean an extra recharging fee, with some providers charging around €35 (£30). This can catch drivers out at the end of a trip, whilst potentially proving a costly mistake if cheaper public charge points cannot be found nearby.

6. Charging at LeShuttle could save up to £20 

“EV drivers travelling via LeShuttle can cut costs by planning a charge before or after crossing the Channel. The Folkestone and Calais terminals offer ultra-rapid 210kW and rapid 50kW chargers, giving drivers a quick top-up before continuing their journey.

“At £0.50/€0.50 per kWh, the chargers are up to 35% cheaper than the UK average of £0.80 per kWh for pay-as-you-go charging, meaning a full charge could save drivers around £15 to £20 compared with UK forecourt rates. On the return journey, charging at the Calais terminal could be even cheaper, at just £0.43 per kWh.”

7. Using the wrong satnav settings could risk a £1,295 fine

“Drivers, including those in EVs, should check their satnav or route-planning app before driving in France. French law bans devices that show exact speed-camera locations, with compliant systems instead using broader “danger zone” warnings.

Anyone caught using exact speed-camera alerts could face a fine of up to €1,500 (£1,295) and risk having the device confiscated. Before travelling, drivers should update their satnav software and switch to a French-compliant database or “danger zone” setting where available.”