Bonus, prime: What incentives are available for purchasing an electric car?

Did you know? Many purchase aids help finance your new or used electric car, from bonuses to conversion premiums.

Buying an electric car is a significant investment. Their price is often higher than an equivalent hybrid or thermal model, which can deter some buyers. But France offers purchase aids such as the bonus and the conversion premium. Additional bonuses, extra grants, and local aids, notably in Low Emission Zones, can be added to save on costs.

The ecological bonus for new electric cars

Since 2008, France has been offering an ecological bonus for every purchase of a “clean” new vehicle. The amount has varied over the years, but today it stands at 6,000 euros. This amount is a ceiling, since the bonus is actually 27% of the purchase price. If the purchase price is less than 22,222 euros – such as the Dacia Spring – you need to apply the percentage and not the 6,000 euros.

This applies only to 100% electric cars, and not hybrids or plug-ins. Previously, some models qualified because the bonus existed for models under 20 g/km of CO₂.

No income conditions, but the purchase price is limited to 47,000 euros since July 1, 2022. For electric cars between 47,000 and 60,000 euros, the bonus is only 2,000 euros. Above 60,000 euros, no bonus—full price applies! Also, the aid covers both purchase and lease options. In the case of a long-term rental (LOA or LLD) of 2 years or more, the bonus is compatible! Be aware that it is forbidden to resell the vehicle before one year or to drive less than 6,000 km in the year following purchase, or you will lose the bonus.

2022 Ecological Bonus Amounts:

• 0 to 47,000 €: maximum bonus of 6,000 € or 27% of the purchase price
• 47,000 to 60,000 €: 2,000 € bonus
• Over 60,000 €: No bonus

The ecological bonus for 2023 is expected to decrease. Most likely, if approved in next year’s finance law, the maximum amount will be 5,000 euros. For cars between 47,000 and 60,000 euros, the bonus will be halved, at only 1,000 euros.

Note: France grants an extra bonus to the DOMs (Overseas Departments). If you reside in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Réunion, or Mayotte, the purchase bonus for an electric car is increased by 1,000 €. The only condition is that you must drive there "within six months following acquisition".

Bonus for used electric cars

Did you know? You can even receive a bonus when purchasing a used electric car. This aid is recent, dating from December 2020, and amounts to 1,000 euros.

The vehicle must also be at least two years old and cannot be resold within two years following purchase or lease. However, this aid does not apply to businesses and professionals.

Up to €5,000 conversion premium

For those looking to change vehicles, the conversion premium is another way to save on purchase of an electric car. Originally created to boost the automobile market after the 2008 financial crisis, it encourages the transition to less polluting vehicles.

To qualify, you need to scrap an old model. It must be a diesel before 2011 or a gasoline before 2006. In short, any thermal vehicle meeting the Crit’Air sticker categories 3, 4, 5, or unclassified. The measure also supports lower-income individuals, who must justify a low reference income (RFR).

You also need to purchase a low CO₂-emitting vehicle. For the purchase of a plug-in hybrid or electric with over 50 km of autonomy, you can receive the maximum conversion premium of 5,000 €. But only if your RFR is below 6,300 euros. For RFRs under 13,489 euros, you must justify a commute of over 30 km or travel more than 12,000 km/year. Outside these conditions, the conversion premium is 2,500 euros.

2022 Conversion Premium Amounts:

• RFR < 6,300 €: 5,000 € premium
• RFR < 13,489 €: 5,000 € premium, if commute >30 km or >12,000 km/year
• RFR < 13,489 €: 2,500 € premium without conditions
• RFR > 13,489 €: 2,500 €

Attention, some conditions must be met:

• The vehicle’s purchase price must not exceed 60,000 €
• The conversion premium cannot exceed 80% of the vehicle’s price

Note: The ZFE (Low Emission Zone) surcharge allows residents to add 1,000 € on top of the conversion premium. In total, you can accumulate up to 12,000 € including the ecological bonus!

Regional and local aids

Depending on where you live in France, you may be more fortunate than others. Certain regions, departments, or cities offer bonuses for buying electric cars. They are numerous for professionals, less common for individuals.

• Île-de-France/Greater Paris: conversion premium of €6,000 under income conditions (same as national), for new or used vehicles.
• Occitanie: up to €2,000 bonus (non-taxable individuals), or €1,000 (RFR < 50,000 euros), including plug-in hybrids.
• Toulouse Métropole: €5,000 conversion bonus for RFR < €6,300, decreasing to €3,000 for RFR < €35,052, also applicable to used vehicles (€2,000 to €3,300 depending on income). The aid covers hydrogen, hybrid, GPL, and GNV vehicles.
• Rouen Normandie Metropolitan Area: €5,000 conversion premium (RFR < €6,300) or €2,500 (RFR < €13,489) for new or used vehicles.
• Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area: €5,000 bonus (RFR < €40,000), €4,000 (RFR < €60,000), or €3,000 (RFR < €80,000), for purchase but not lease.
• Strasbourg Eurometropolitan Area: €3,500 conversion bonus (RFR<€6,300), €2,500 (RFR < €60,000), or €1,500 (RFR < €80,000) for new or used electric vehicles.
• Reims: €3,000 conversion premium for new and used electric cars (RFR < €6,300) or €2,000 (RFR < €13,489), also applicable to plug-in hybrids, GNV, and hydrogen vehicles.

Note: the combined aid from national bonuses, conversion premiums, and local aids cannot exceed 80% of the total purchase price.

Also read: Top 10 Electric Cars with Highest Range in 2022