By DPA,
Paris: In a move to support the construction and use of electric-powered automobiles, the French government is planning to purchase some 50,000 of the vehicles, Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo said Tuesday in Paris.
A tender to provide the cars to a group of 20 at least partly state-owned companies is to be prepared in the near future. These companies include Air France, energy supplier EDF, and the state-owned rail network SNCF.
In addition, Paris will offer a bonus of 5,000 euros ($6,800) to all private individuals who purchase an electric automobile by the year 2012.
Borloo also said that 12 French cities and urban centres have committed themselves to establishing a network of recharing stations. Motorway rest stops and supermarket park places will be obliged to provide facilities to recharge electric-car batteries, he said.