Until recently, the rule was always accepted: to benefit from environmental bonus 5,000 euros (or up to 7,000 euros for low-income households), the administration takes into account the cost of an electric car with all options. And it should be 47,000 euros maximum.

But one order dated 04.12.2022 (on amendments to the resolution of December 29, 2017 regarding the conditions for managing assistance for the purchase and lease of vehicles with a low level of pollution) it is stated that the saved invoice price no longer includes “non-vehicle equipment such as options”. A far from trivial change that Tesla only quietly announced last October. In fact, the manufacturer has changed its online configurator. So the Y model, then priced at €45,990, optioned with the optional blue color and costing €1,600, or a total of €47,590, can now benefit from the bonus, whereas until now it was excluded.

A “new” boon for model buyers… except this rule has actually been in place for almost a year now and seems to have been overlooked before. According to our information, this is a a document issued to manufacturers and dealers at the beginning of October to clarify the conditions for calculating the bonus, in this case the selected rate “no options”who poked Lamarck’s ear.

Environmental bonus: did buyers suffer?

Therefore, this rule changes the situation for all models whose price is close to 47,000 euros and whose parameters (color, rims and other equipment, etc.) exceed this threshold. This especially applies to the Mercedes EQA and EQB, the Renault Megane E-Tech and some versions of the Volkswagen ID.3.

If the buyers have six months after giving birth of a vehicle to receive an environmental bonus, but what about those who bought cars that fall under this scenario at the beginning of the year, especially during the first five months? In fact, this rule was already applied and was not necessarily known to the dealer or the buyer. So, can we ask the brand to cover (and “return”) the equivalent of the bonus?

Several manufacturers, including Peugeot, assured us that people who opted for a model costing around €43,000 were generally satisfied with the standard options and in any case did not add any to the overprice level. threshold for the right to a bonus. Sure, but what about those who were denied the premium they should have received?

In response to questions from the editors, lawyer Jean-Baptiste Le Dahl explained to us that if the concessionaire is obliged to give advice, the latter does not apply to auxiliary devices implemented by the state. “No one should be ignorant of the law,” so the buyer had only himself to blame. On the other hand, nothing prevents us from applying for this help to the state, referring to the fact that this resolution was not properly taken into account by specialists who sometimes themselves advance the amount of the premium. Not sure if this works but don’t try anything…

Six months to get the bonus

From now on, the rule is clear: the price that is taken into account for receiving the bonus should not be taken into account do not take into account the cost of options. Threshold ago 47,000 euros bill issued exclusion option. If you ordered an electric car with additional equipment above this threshold, you can still claim €5,000 (or even €7,000 depending on your income) within six months of taking delivery of the car or the date of the first lease payment (long-term or with redemption).

So if you purchased the car after May 27th, you can still apply on November 27th. Either through your dealer or by yourself by sending the necessary documents (invoices, registration certificate, etc.) online via the ASP-public.fr website.

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