Volkswagen Group France’s network of ELV centers receives the green light from the State

Volkswagen Group France is taking a new step in the upgrading of its end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).

In fact, VGF’s new network of ELV centers received approval from the Ministry of Environment on May 27, 2026, after receiving approval for its individual system published in the Official Gazette in 2024. This concerns 675 common recycling facilities spread across mainland France and abroad.

“We are very pleased to have reached this milestone within the timeframe given to us. This new network of partner ELV centers is fully operational in accordance with technical rules and regulations, to ensure the acceptance of our customers’ vehicles and to guarantee quality recycling,” enthuses Marc Meurer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group France.

To commission IS, the German group needed to establish a network of new ELV centers before December 2025. Joint recyclers will receive end-of-life vehicles from the brands Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Cupra, as well as MAN TGE models from MAN Truck & Bus France.

Manufacturers have mainly chosen the individual system.

“I would especially like to thank the teams of our historical partner Tracauto for their expertise and support in creating this new network of ELV centres. I also thank the federations Mobilians and Federec for their support since the beginning of our approval. These combined actions and the trust of the ELV centers made it possible to achieve this result,” says Aymeric Jobelot, program manager Environment and Energy at Volkswagen Group France.

Note that this measure comes from the anti-waste law for a circular economy (Agec) that came into force in 2020. This law aims to improve the collection and recycling of end-of-life vehicles in order to combat the illegal industry.

The vast majority of manufacturers preferred an individual system, such as Volkswagen, Renault and Stellantis. With the SI model, manufacturers have an obligation to organize the support of their ELVs and establish a network covering the entire region.