Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, Haute-Normandie’s president, said the region was the home of the first 100% French electric vehicle – Renault builds motors and batteries built in Cleon – and that the automotive industry had created 27,000 local jobs in 350 companies locally.

The aim, he said, is to support the uptake of the new technology in the region as part of ongoing plans to make Haute-Normanide one of France’s first “Eco Regions” – announced when he became president last October.

Proposals to be put forward at a plenary session today include a subsidy of up to 50%, or €25,000 (£20,700), for businesses equipping their premises with charging points, and €5,000 (£4,100) apiece off up to five electric vehicles for their own fleet.

The latter will be matched for private buyers, who will be offered a €5,000 (£4,100) electric vehicle subsidy in addition to the State-issued €6,300 (£5,200) eco-bonus, while high schools will be offered a between 50 and 70% discounts against electric service vehicle purchases.