Ecological bonus 2024: a list of eligible cars will be published

Today, to benefit from the ecological bonus, the only criterion that comes into account is the invoice price of the electric car. In this case, if this does not exceed 47,000 euros, then the client can benefit from a bonus of 5,000 euros, or even 7,000 euros depending on their latest declared tax income.

But in 2024, everything will change. Indeed, in a barely concealed protectionist strategy, the government will now take into account the total carbon footprint of the electric car in question in order to determine whether or not it will be eligible for the ecological bonus. In other words, the further away the car comes from (if it is made in China for example), the more likely it is that it will not be eligible for the bonus.

In this sense, the government will very soon draw up a list of eligible cars. The Ministry of the Economy announced that the list of electric cars affected by the ecological bonus from 1^is January 2024 will be revealed on December 15.

This initiative aims to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles while limiting imports of Chinese cars into France. Two official texts, planned to be published in the Official Journal, will also detail the methodology for calculating the “environmental score” which will be used to determine the eligibility of vehicles for this bonus.

How will this environmental score be calculated?

The environmental score will be calculated by the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) using data provided by manufacturers. This score will take into account several key factors, including the carbon footprint of production, materials used, vehicle assembly, battery manufacturing and transportation of the vehicle from where it was manufactured.

Only electric cars getting a minimum score of 60 points will be eligible for this financial aid, which will represent several thousand euros and will be available for purchases or financing.

France thus stands out at the European level by implementing this environmental measure, while the European Union is struggling to develop a unified response to the emergence of electric car manufacturers. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, underlined the objective of “stop subsidizing electric vehicles with a high carbon footprint”which will make it possible to promote the most environmentally friendly industrial production.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Energy Transition, added that this initiative would give an advantage to French and European companies striving to reduce their environmental impact.

Will all models produced in Asia be excluded from the bonus?

Although no criterion is eliminatory, the ministry recognized that the score indirectly favored European production. However, it was also clarified that certain small models, produced in Asia, could also be eligible for this ecological bonus.

This measure also aims to respond to US initiatives such as the Investment Tax Credit (IRA), which provides subsidies to stimulate green investments in the United States, particularly in the electric vehicle industry.

The French government says it is confident about the legal solidity of this reform, which falls within the framework of the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) allowing exceptions for environmental protection.

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