For years, the government has been promoting electric driving. Until now, however, its benefits could only be enjoyed by business drivers. This will change with the introduction of a subsidy for private individuals who buy an electric passenger car.
Internet consultation
This subsidy had already been announced. Recently, the bill Electric transport grant scheme published for internet consultation.
The aim is to make the purchase of an all-electric passenger car attractive and affordable for every motorist. The bill implements part of the climate agreement. The purchase of zero-emission cars by individuals will be encouraged with the subsidy scheme.
Grant
For 2020 and 2021, the subsidy is € 4.000 For an individual who has a new electric passenger car purchase or private lease. In subsequent years, the subsidy amount is phased out:
| 2022 | € 3.700 |
| 2023 | € 3.550 |
| 2024 | € 2.950 |
| 2025 | € 2.550 |
What determines the highest of the subsidy is the date on which the purchase or lease agreement is signed. Per person, the subsidy can only be applied for once.
The grant scheme will have a ceiling. Once applications exceed this ceiling, no grant will be awarded. The grant will be awarded in order of applications.
In case of buying the car, the subsidy amount is paid in one lump sum. In the case of leasing, the payment is made in 48 monthly instalments.
Used car
When buying or private leasing a used passenger car, the subsidy in the period from 2020 to 2024 amounts to € 2.000. After that, no subsidy is provided for a used car.
A used car must not have been previously registered in the applicant's name, nor in the name of a person who has the same residential address as the applicant on the date of application. For a used car, subsidy can only be applied for on the basis of a purchase agreement concluded with a car company (as referred to in Article 1 of the Registration Regulations).
The buyer of a used electric passenger car is not entitled to the subsidy if the purchase agreement was concluded before the date of publication of the subsidy scheme.
Conditions
The subsidy only applies to all-electric cars (i.e. not hybrid cars):
- With an (original) list value between €12,000 and €45,000 and;
- A range of at least 120 km and;
- that remain in the name of the grant recipient for at least 3 years (in the case of private leases, the lease term must be at least 4 years).
Both the catalogue value and range of a car can be accessed in the public section of the registry on the website of the RDW.
The passenger car for which the grant is received must be in the applicant's name continuously for 3 years (in case of private lease: 4 years) and must belong exclusively to the private assets of the grant recipient. This 3-year or 4-year period also applies in full from the purchase or start of the lease in respect of used cars.
However, it is allowed to replace the car for another car within 3 or 4 years, respectively, provided the replacement car would have been eligible for the subsidy scheme. In that case, the subsidy conditions will apply for the remaining period in respect of the replacement car.
The buyer of an electric car, who does not complete the 3-year term, must repay the subsidy for the remaining full months. For private leases, if the 4-year term is not completed, the monthly payment of the subsidy stops.