The balance of the bonus / malus system has been undermined in recent months with a fall in revenues. Could this eventually lead to the end of public incentives for the purchase of electric cars? The question would already arise for fleets.
As for individuals, companies benefit from the ecological bonus on the purchase of an electric vehicle, in addition to the exemption from TVS and a free registration (depending on the region). Interesting arguments for fleet managers, who are also part of the “Automotive Sector Strategic Contract”, signed with the government in 2018.
This provides for a “rapid” take-off of sales of rechargeable vehicles from 2020: “in France, the Strategic Contract for the Automobile sector, signed in May 2018, aims to prepare for these developments. Estimates from the Automobile Platform (PFA) show that sales of electrified vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles) would have to take off quickly to reach the CO2 emission targets: 100,000 electric vehicles sold in 2020, 135,000 in 2021 (compared to 39,200 in 2018); 75 000 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in 2020, 115,000 in 2021 (compared to 13,400 in 2018) “, specifies the contract.
The bonus is not eternal
Problem: a significant part of buyers of new cars in France are … professionals. And according to our colleagues at Autoactu.com, the Minister of the Environment left a worrying doubt about the future of the ecological bonus of 6000 € for professionals.
Discussions on government spending (bonuses) on the purchase of automobiles will soon begin in the context of the PLF (finance bill). The bonus for individuals should not move, but that of professionals is likely to be revised downwards. And that could later, in the coming years, have an effect on the bonus for individuals, which will logically be reduced.
Indeed, the bonus / malus scale is still profitable, but revenues dropped drastically in the first quarter. The fault, in part, the significant increase in sales of electric cars (almost 40% growth), which increase public spending. If the state really wants 100,000 electric sales in 2020, it’s a safe bet that the balance of the bonus / penalty will be upset. With the consequences that we imagine: the end of the ecological bonus, in the medium term.
