When you decide to explore the acquisition of a new vehicle, you should know that there is government assistance to facilitate this act of purchase. There is therefore an ecological bonus which applies to certain vehicles, but also a conversion bonus, if there is ever a desire to sell your previous vehicle. To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, specific assistance for the rental of the latter was put in place at the beginning of 2024, a victim of its success, the operation should return at the beginning of 2025.
The Ecological Bonus is a system put in place by the French government to encourage French people to consider purchasing a vehicle that is more respectful of environmental standards. This amount is thus deducted from the purchase price of the vehicle, based on a scale re-evaluated each year to measure the weight of CO² emitted per kilometer by said vehicle.
This amount is granted only to vehicles declared eligible by an interministerial decree. Individuals with a reference tax income per unit of less than or equal to 15,400 euros can benefit from an increase of 3,000 euros. The list of eligible vehicles is available on the ADEME website. In addition, the conversion bonus is now subject to an environmental criterion and is reserved for the purchase of new electric vehicles. Since February 15, the ecological bonus granted to companies now only applies to utility vehicles. Legal entities are no longer eligible for the bonus for the purchase of private vehicles.
The 2024 ecological bonus
Every year (since 2008), the government carries out a reassessment of the scale for CO2/km emissions for vehicles. Thus, from February 15, 2024, the maximum amount of the ecological bonus for the purchase of new electric and hydrogen vehicles is set at 4,000 euros for individuals.
This subsidy, accessible without income criteria, generally concerns electric vehicles (cars or vans weighing less than 2.4 tonnes) which emit no CO² (compared to a maximum of 20g/km before July 1, 2022). Only vehicles costing less than 47,000 euros are eligible.
In 2024, the criteria for awarding the ecological bonus for vehicles have evolved. In addition to the weight and price of new electric cars, a new criterion is taken into account: the environmental score. This score is based on CO² emissions linked to vehicle production, such as where the battery is assembled and manufactured, as well as the distance traveled between these locations. An initial list of eligible vehicles has been published in late 2023
The new maximum amount of the ecological bonus for the year 2024 was established by a decree published in the Official Journal on February 13, 2024. It was reduced to 4,000 euros for high-income French taxpayers, compared to the previous 5,000 euros. . On the other hand, low-income households continue to benefit from a bonus of up to 7,000 euros, including the standard 5,000 euros and an increase of 2,000 euros already in force.
The 2024 Conversion Bonus
The conversion bonus, which replaced the “scrapping bonus” in 2010, is a subsidy granted by the State. In 2023, it is granted when purchasing or renting (under LOA or LLD) a new or used vehicle considered “clean” (thermal, electric, hybrid or rechargeable hybrid, hydrogen) in exchange for decommissioning a Crit'Air 3 or older car or van (diesel first registered before 2011 or gasoline first registered before 2006)
To be eligible, several conditions must be met:
- The type of vehicle purchased or rented (private car, light commercial vehicle or van).
- The type of vehicle taken back.
- The income of the applicant (based on the reference tax income or RFR).
- The CO2 emission level of the new vehicle.
In 2024, only households whose reference annual tax income does not exceed 22,983 euros can benefit from the conversion bonus (beyond this threshold, no aid is granted). In addition, the new electric vehicle purchased must not exceed 2.4 tonnes in operating weight and must not cost more than 47,000 euros.
Note that from now on, no thermal vehicle is affected by the conversion bonus (petrol or diesel). This conversion bonus, however, can be combined with the ecological bonus under certain conditions.
Government aid 2024
Beyond new electric vehicles, the high price of which remains one of the criteria which slows down the decision of motorists to opt for this type of vehicle, the ecological bonus or the conversion bonus then comes to the aid. But the ecological bonus also applies to used electric vehicles. As a reminder, the aid is as follows:
- 4,000 euros for households whose reference tax income per share is greater than 15,400 euros (a sum which could be reduced to 4,000 euros, in accordance with the wishes of the government)
- 7,000 euros for the most modest households (reference tax income per share less than or equal to 15,400 euros).
- No aid for the purchase of an electric model whose price is between 47,000 and 60,000 euros.
- No assistance for the purchase of a used car or van
- 1,000 euros for the purchase of an electric van or a hydrogen vehicle whose price exceeds 60,000 euros.
- No assistance for the purchase of a plug-in hybrid vehicle
“Social leasing” or the electric car for less than €100 per month
This is one of the measures that saw the light of day at the beginning of 2024 and which aimed to allow the most modest households to be able to choose an electric vehicle among those eligible for this initiative. This flagship measure aimed to offer leasing for around €100/month, more or less depending on the type of vehicle.
Monthly rental rates generally vary between 40 and 150 euros, depending on the size of the vehicle, and exclude optional services such as maintenance or car insurance. At the end of the contract, the lessee can return the vehicle or buy it at its residual value.
To be eligible, you must be of legal age (over 18 years old) and have a tax income per unit of less than 15,400 euros. In addition, the home must be more than 15 kilometers from the workplace, and the car must be used for work-related personal travel, with a minimum of 8,000 kilometers traveled per year.
The “social leasing” contract has a minimum duration of three years, with the possibility of renewal, with or without a purchase option. To rent a new vehicle, it must meet the following criteria:
- Achieve the required environmental score.
- Have an acquisition price less than or equal to 47,000 euros.
- Weigh less than 2,400 kilograms.
To rent a used vehicle, the first registration of the vehicle (or its conversion to an electric vehicle via renovation) must be less than three and a half years old. Several rental companies and manufacturers are partners with the State to facilitate access to the “My electric leasing” program for eligible people.
Initially, the program was limited to 25,000 electric vehicles for the year 2024. However, due to very high demand, the government ultimately agreed to fulfill more than 50,000 orders. A decree published in the Official Journal on February 13, 2024 announces the suspension of the electric car leasing assistance program. The operation should be relaunched at the end of 2024 with a view to 2025.
Assistance with installing an electrical terminal
What can encourage the switch to electric cars is the ease with which they can be recharged. Therefore, the installation of a domestic electrical terminal is more than recommended. As such, the government has also provided aid.
Since 2014, the government has offered financial support for the purchase and installation of charging stations for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. According to the provisions of the finance law for 2024, the tax credit rate, maintained at 75% of expenses incurred, is capped at 500 euros per installation for taxpayers residing in France who equip their home with a charging system , compared to 300 euros previously. In addition, the program now focuses on so-called “smart” terminals, which can be controlled remotely.
Local aid depending on the region
Sometimes, depending on the region where you live, local assistance also helps you acquire a new vehicle. In some regions, assistance is available for the purchase of an environmentally friendly vehicle.
For example, in Occitanie, an “eco-mobility check” of 1,000 to 2,000 euros is offered (depending on income) for the purchase of a used electric or plug-in hybrid car from a local professional. To benefit from this assistance, it is necessary to be both the owner and the buyer of the used vehicle. In addition, this aid can be combined with the State conversion bonus.
On the other hand, the Normandy region offers assistance to individuals who acquire an electric car or one running on natural gas (NGV). The amount of this aid varies from 1,000 to 2,500 euros, depending on the type of motorization and the reference tax income of the beneficiaries. This subsidy can also be combined with the ecological bonus and the conversion bonus. In short, the accumulation of this aid can save up to 14,500 euros for the buyer.