Public policy

Popular incentives, accessible everywhere and for everyone

In terms of public policy, the financial issue remains at the heart of our concerns in order to activate a second lever for recovery. In this area, as in others, public policy has a leading role to play. In the previous section, we pointed out the lack of clarity associated with public policies.

However, when it comes to certain issues, which are still linked to the economic dimension, motorists sometimes have very clear ideas. This is the case for purchase incentives, which have been very well received. (Fig. 31). Nearly 8 out of 10 people are in favour. Once again, the Japanese are the most reserved (61%), in contrast to the Turks and Chinese, who are strongly in favour. Mediterranean countries score above the survey average.

Public support for electric vehicles in Europe: examples of measures announced or in force in 2025

Controlling prices

Still on the financial front, the idea of public authorities controlling prices received almost the same number of votes. (Fig. 33). 3 out of 4 people support this measure. The differences between countries are still marked, with more or less the same countries occupying the same positions in the rankings, with the Chinese-Turkish pair ever in the lead, followed by the Italians, with Japan more wary than ever.

The French penchant for a certain form of economic Colbertism is confirmed by a solid 81%.

The 30-49 age group, people living in big cities and families with children believe that controlling prices will make it easier to buy a car.

Supporting manufacturers

Supporting manufacturers

To a lesser extent, motorists also agree on the financial support that public authorities should give to manufacturers in order to boost the market (62%). This idea is seen as an obvious decision in Turkey and China, where it is already being put into practice, more or less directly. (Fig. 34).

Many European countries, such as the Netherlands and Portugal, are more reserved, with scores of around 50%, even lower than in the United States.

Revisiting regulatory standards

However, the effectiveness of the ‘public policy’ lever cannot be based on the economic dimension alone. Faced with a regulatory environment that they consider vague and changeable, and therefore restrictive, just over 7 out of 10 motorists would like public authorities to relax standards and regulations.

This lever is therefore synonymous with greater freedom. Respondents are also in favour of adjusting these stan- dards according to the type of vehicle and road used.

Nearly three-quarters of people support both these measures. Flexibility is less in demand in Japan and the UK, while adaptation measures are less favoured in Japan and the Netherlands.

France is in the middle of the pack on both counts. Young people and people living in large cities are the most likely to support these measures.

Almost as many motorists believe that this step backwards would be effective in reviving the market. However, opinions are a little more clear-cut from one country to the next, with the same oppositions between the sceptical Japanese and the enthusiastic Chinese and Turks. Once again, the under-50s and people living in big cities show an interest, as do couples with children.