What aid is available for buying an electric car in 2019? This article summarizes the grants to which you are entitled in 2019.
In 2018, 31,059 electric vehicle (EV) registrations were recorded in France, an increase of 25% on 2017. Electric vehicles accounted for 2.7% of sales in December 2018. A new record. Carmakers have invested huge sums in EV technology, betting that EVs will be the future of mobility. Tesla, the leading EV manufacturer, has just announced the upcoming launch of a $35,000 Tesla Model 3 to appeal to a less premium audience and further expand its offering.
Electric cars are enjoying considerable media exposure and popularity with the French, as well as with elected representatives and political decision-makers. The government has introduced financial aid for the purchase of an electric car in 2019.
In this article, we explain what these grants are and under what conditions you may be eligible.
⚠️ To go further ⚠️
Grants for buying an electric car: the Beev dossier
1- I don't have a car and would like to buy a used electric car
Despite the best efforts of our democrats and politicians, in this case, you receive no government assistance...but...the planet thanks you. 🌍
2- I don't have a car and would like to buy a new electric car
If you don't own a car, you can benefit from the ecological bonus, which allows you to save 27% on the purchase price (incl. VAT) of the vehicle. This aid is capped at €6,000 incl. VAT. You can benefit from the ecological bonus regardless of your tax status: taxable or non-taxable.
⚠️ Please note that the ecological bonus only applies to new 100% electric vehicles with a maximum CO2 emission level of 20 g/km (above that it's a hybrid vehicle).
What documents do I need to qualify?
✅ Proof of applicant's identity
✅ Proof of applicant's domicile in France
✅ Applicant's payment details
What are the eligibility criteria?
The vehicle must be purchased (or leased with an option to purchase, or for at least 2 years), new and registered in France in a definitive series.
⚠️ Please note that the car must have no more than 6,000 km on the odometer, and the applicant undertakes not to resell it within 6 months of purchase.
How is the ecological bonus paid?
The bonus can either be deducted directly by the seller/lessor, or reimbursed if you request it after the purchase.
⚠️ Be sure to check with your seller/landlord to find out who takes care of this process, as it's not always the case that they do it for you.
3 - I already have a car and want to switch to an electric car
In this case, you can combine the bonus écologique with the prime à la conversion. In order to speed up the replacement of old vehicles in France, the government has also introduced a scheme known as the " prime à la conversion".
The "prime à la conversion" (conversion bonus) is an incentive for French individuals and businesses who want to get rid of their car and replace it with a less polluting model.
Please note! As of August 1, 2019, the conversion bonus is changing and the terms of attribution are no longer the same. To find out more, please consult the article dedicated to.
- I am taxable
- I'm buying a used electric car: if you switch from a combustion engine to a used electric vehicle, you'll receive a €1,000 bonus.
- I'm buying a new electric car: if you switch from a combustion engine to a new electric vehicle, you'll receive a €2,500 bonus.
- I'm not taxable and I'm buying a new vehicle
- I drive more than 12,000 km per year (or 60km/day) with my personal vehicle for work purposes: I benefit from a bonus equivalent to 80% of the purchase price of the vehicle, up to a maximum of €5,000 incl. tax.
- My taxable income per unit is less than or equal to €6,300: I receive a bonus equivalent to 80% of the purchase price of the vehicle, up to a maximum of €5,000 including tax.
- I don't meet either of the above conditions:I'll receive a €2,500 bonus (incl. tax).
⚠️ Good to know: the reference tax income (RFR) must be divided by the number of reference tax units (PFR) in your household.
Example: I want to buy a new EV for €23,200. I work 32km from my place of work. I therefore travel 64km a day. I'm not taxed and I have a diesel car dating from February 2005.
My subsidies = Bonus Écologique + Prime à la conversion
= 7,000€ + 5,000€
= 12,000€
The cost of the electric vehicle is therefore 11,200€ (23,200€ - 12,000€), i.e. less expensive than a new Renault Twingo. Added to this are savings on fuel and maintenance costs.
All in all, your electric car will cost you less than a petrol or diesel vehicle, both to buy and to run.
What documents are required to qualify for the conversion premium?
In order to benefit from this assistance, all you need to provide is:
✅ Certificate of registration (carte grise) of the electric vehicle purchased or leased in your name
✅ Certificate of registration of the old vehicle scrapped (if you declare one)
✅ Applicant's payment details
What are the conditions for accessing the conversion bonus?
The vehicle must be a passenger car (PC) or light commercial vehicle (LCV) and have been registered for the first time:
- 2011 for diesel vehicles
- 2006 for petrol vehicles
You must have owned the vehicle for at least one year and it must be registered in France. The trade-in car must not :
- to be pledged to be pledged: to request a certificate of administrative status, click here.
- be considered damaged (a vehicle is said to be damaged when the cost of repair exceeds the cost of the vehicle).
The vehicle must be insured when it is scrapped. It must be handed in for destruction within the 3 months preceding or the 6 months following invoicing of the new vehicle to an approved "end-of-life vehicle" (ELV) center. You can find the full list of approved ELV centers here.
How is the conversion premium paid?
The conversion premium can be deducted directly from the purchase price by the dealer, or reimbursed if requested by the customer after the purchase of the new car.
Let's summarize for the sake of clarity 🔍
If you don't have a car and want to buy a new electric car, you can benefit from €6,000 in state aid.
If you already have a car (diesel or petrol) that you would like to replace with a new electric vehicle :
- 11,000 in assistance if your household is not taxable
- 7,500 if your household is taxable.
Useful links 🔗
👉To test your eligibility for the conversion premium, click here.
👉To benefit from the ecological bonus and the conversion premium, click here.
