France’s entrepreneurial fabric is rich in nuggets dedicated to electric mobility. Here’s a closer look at 15 of them, covering a wide range of fields from car manufacturing to recharging solutions.
Manufacturing and retrofitting
Circle
Founded in 2019
Based in Paris
Circle is working on the development of miniature electric cars equipped with removable batteries and manufactured in modular factories, as well as scooters and scooters. The ultimate aim is to create a range of vehicles dedicated to car-sharing.
Gazelle Tech
Founded in 2014
Based in Gironde
Gazelle Tech is a young car manufacturer that makes lightweight electric cars using a patented composite material containing, among other things, fibreglass. The first production model, with a range of 180 km, could be available as early as 2025.
Kate
Founded in 2022
Based in Deux-Sèvres
In a takeover in 2023, Kate took over the business of Nosmoke, a manufacturer that produced electric and revamped versions of the iconic Mini Moke beach car. Production continues to this day.
Qinomic
Founded in 2021
Based in Bouches-du-Rhône
In a very short space of time, Qinomic has succeeded in making a name for itself in the world of retrofitting, focusing primarily on the electrification of fleets of combustion-powered commercial vehicles. In 2023, this should attract the attention of the giant Stellantis, with whom it is associated.
Batteries and motors
Mecaware
Founded in 2020
Based in the Rhône
In 2023, Mecaware raised €40m to enable it to open its first plant and industrialise its recycling technology, which consists of extracting so-called « critical » metals from used batteries in order to recycle them and then re-inject them into the battery production cycle.
Nawah
Founded in 2013
Based in Bouches-du-Rhône
Nawah is working on the manufacture of carbon nanotube supercapacitor batteries capable of being recharged to 80% as quickly as filling up with petrol (or almost). All that remains now is to find the funding to go into production.
Verkor
Founded in 2020
Based in Isère
Verkor aims to produce lithium-ion batteries in France, with the support of Renault, among others, and massive investment: €2 billion in several rounds of financing. Its gigafactory, based in Dunkirk, will be fully operational by 2026.
VoltR
Founded in 2022
Based in Maine-et-Loire
VoltR is a company specialising in the reconditioning of batteries. It recently signed a partnership with electric scooter giant Lime to recycle its batteries, and is working to diversify its business to process other types of battery.
Whylot
Founded in 2011
Based in Lot
Whylot is an engine manufacturer that produces smaller, more efficient electric motors for the automotive market. Renault has signed a partnership agreement with the Lot-based company to support its industrialisation development.
Refilling and distribution
Beev
Founded in 2020
Based in Seine-Saint-Denis
Beev offers both private individuals and businesses a turnkey solution for their switch to electric vehicles. The choice of vehicle, the installation of a charging point, the paperwork – it’s all taken care of!
Bump
Founded in 2021
Based in Paris
Bump installs fast-charging stations at the foot of offices, in supermarket car parks and bus depots, in addition to offering its own subscription card. The company has raised 180 million euros in 2022.
Driveco
Founded in 2010
Based in Paris
Driveco, for its part, specialises in solar-powered charging points. By 2023, it had passed the 10,000 mark and has since opened offices in Spain, Belgium and Italy.
Electra
Founded in 2020
Based in Paris
Europe is also on the menu for Electra, which is developing fast-charging stations in city centres. In 2023, it raised €304 million to expand its network: the company is aiming to have 15,000 stations on the Old Continent by 2030, compared with 1,500 by 2024.
Mob-Energy
Founded in 2018
Based in the Rhône
Mob-Energy has come up with Charles: an autonomous charging robot. It stores energy using batteries recycled from its base, then moves from vehicle to vehicle using modules that can be plugged in after parking.
Zeplug
Founded in 2014
Based in Paris
Zeplug offers to help co-owners install and manage their charging points. Demand is growing, and the Paris-based company is well ahead of the game, having raised €240 million in 2022 to accelerate its expansion across Europe.
