Check the exact vehicle, not just the category
For French VTC operations, the standard car criteria include 4 to 9 seats including the driver, at least 4 doors, minimum dimensions of 4.50 m by 1.70 m and net power of at least 84 kW. The usual maximum age is 7 years, with a collection-car exception.
The hybrid/electric exemption covers the age, four-door, dimensions and power criteria in Article 1 of the vehicle order; it does not remove the 4-to-9-seat rule in the Transport Code. The exemption does not remove insurance, inspection, registration or VTC signage obligations. Verify the model's registration document and the applicable vehicle rules before paying a deposit. A platform can also impose its own category conditions.
Match the vehicle to a real working week
List total kilometres, including empty travel, typical passenger and luggage loads, long trips and available charging locations. Test seat comfort, luggage space and ease of access rather than relying on photographs. Check local access restrictions through the authorities for the areas where you intend to work; a French VTC-compliant vehicle is not automatically permitted in every local zone.
An illustrative energy comparison
All consumption, prices and costs are assumptions, not current tariffs or model specifications. Suppose you drive 3,200 km each month. A combustion vehicle consuming 6 litres per 100 km at EUR 1.80 per litre uses 192 litres, costing EUR 345.60. An electric vehicle using 18 kWh per 100 km at EUR 0.30 per kWh costs 576 × 0.30 = EUR 172.80, before additional charging losses.
The assumed energy saving is EUR 172.80. If electric acquisition costs EUR 200 more monthly, it is already EUR 27.20 more expensive on those two lines alone. Insurance, maintenance, depreciation, charging losses and charging time can change the comparison. At a different charging price, recalculate rather than carrying over the result.
Build a complete cost sheet
- Acquisition or rental, with deposit, mileage limits and exit costs.
- Energy for all kilometres, including charging losses where relevant.
- Professional insurance, maintenance, tyres and required inspections.
- Downtime and the practical availability of a replacement vehicle.
- Expected resale value if buying, with a pessimistic alternative.
Compare all options on the same period, mileage and VAT basis. Do not add a full purchase price and depreciation as if both were separate costs. The rental-versus-purchase guide shows a consistent ownership calculation.
Before signing
Get written confirmation of paid-passenger-transport insurance and commercial use under the contract. Confirm the exact platform category separately. A cheap monthly payment is not a good choice if it cannot cover your working mileage or leaves you unable to operate during repairs.
Sources and scope
Légifrance: Transport Code, Article R3122-6 (seats and vehicle rules)
Légifrance: vehicle order, Articles 1 and 2 (criteria and hybrid/electric exemption)
Service Public: preparing a French VTC vehicle
The legal and tax references concern France. Examples are illustrative unless expressly attributed to a source; they are not tariffs or promised results.