The Ecobonus ‘Change Pays’ scheme is expanding

The origins of the project

The Ecobonus ‘Change Pays’ scheme, which is a pioneer in France, was inspired by an experiment in combating road congestion carried out in Rotterdam since 2014. Concerned by the problems of air quality and congestion, the Metropolitan area wanted to do something about it. 

With this programme, the Metropolitan area wants to encourage car-soloing drivers to change their habits and to use another mode of transport during rush hour, to carpool, to work from home or to shift their car journeys to other times.

The main objectives of the project are:

- to limit air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,

- to encourage the use of the most environmentally-friendly means of transport,

- relieve the main congestion points in and around the metropolitan area,

- improve the reliability of journey times for users of road transport infrastructure.

How does it work?

Each journey avoided by car entitles participants to a reward of €2 per journey, up to a maximum of €80 per month, paid directly into their bank account. To do this, you will need to use public transport such as the train or bus, take your bike, work from home, carpool or shift your working hours, without forgetting the so-called "hybrid" methods of using your car to go to a station or park in a park-and-ride facility. Route changes are not eligible for the scheme.

To take advantage of this scheme, motorists must first pre-register on the changercarapporte.fr website. Their eligibility is then checked by detecting their movements on the motorways concerned using automated number plate recognition. The drivers selected receive confirmation that they are taking part in the scheme. They provide supporting documents (including a national identity card and bank details), agree to the scheme's rules and regulations, and confirm their final registration by creating an account on the dedicated application that they must download onto their mobile phone.

First review and next evolutions

The Ecobonus programme is being rolled out gradually. Initially, it was introduced on the A1 and A23 motorways from September 2023 until June 2024. In view of the programme's proven success, Lille Metropole has extended the scheme to two new routes from September 2024: the A25 and the RN41.

2,376 participants took part in the first phase of the Ecobonus experiment. More than 2,000 daily traffic cancellations were carried out, as follows: 60% of avoided journeys concerned the A1 and 40% of avoided journeys concerned the A23.

The target of 6% peak-time traffic shedding on the A1 and A23 was achieved. The preferred alternative modes were: working from home (43%), changing working hours (34%), public transport (10%), carpooling (9%) and soft modes (4%).

If the objectives are achieved, the experiment will be extended to the A22 in a third phase and to the A1 in a third and final phase.