The operation, scales and conditions for awarding the ecological bonus/penalty have changed every year since it was set up in 2008. And 2023 is no exception to the rule. Here are some explanations to help you find your way around more easily when buying your next vehicle .
And what is the ecological bonus-malus?
While the classic bonus-malus system penalizes or rewards a motorist according to his driving, the ecological bonus-malus penalizes polluting vehicles and rewards those that are not . Thus, the less polluting the vehicle, the greater the bonus granted, and conversely, the more polluting the vehicle, the higher the penalty applied. The ecological bonus-malus takes the form of a financial incentive .
What is the ecological bonus-malus used for?
The objective of the ecological bonus-malus is to fight against global warming by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
Via a financial lever, the bonus-malus encourages the consumer to turn to low-polluting vehicles . It is also a clear message to manufacturers, who are encouraged to produce cleaner vehicles.
This measure was implemented in 2008. It is revised every year to adapt to new models placed on the automotive market.
How does the ecological bonus-malus work?
The ecological bonus-malus takes the form of a financial incentive . This is proportional to the type of vehicle chosen:
- the less the vehicle pollutes, the greater the bonus granted will be
- conversely, the more polluting the vehicle, the higher the penalty will be
This premium also works for long-term rentals . As for a purchase, the car must be new and never have been registered in France .
How to benefit from an ecological bonus?
Only electric and new vehicles can benefit from the ecological bonus, provided that they are not sold within 6 months after their purchase or before having traveled 6000 km .
Hybrid cars no longer benefit from the ecological bonus in 2019.
Vehicles running on diesel or gasoline are also excluded from the criteria for awarding the ecological bonus.
Two methods of awarding the bonus:
- Some dealers agree to act as an intermediary by deducting the price of the bonus from that of the vehicle.
- Otherwise, simply send an application form for payment of the ecological bonus to the ASP (Services and Payment Agency).
What is the ecological bonus scale in 2019?
| CO2 emission rate | (in g/ km) | Vehicle type | Bonus amount as of January 1, 2019 | Remarks | |
| 0-20g | Passenger car, van or specialized self-propelled vehicle | 6000€ | (within the limit of 27% of the acquisition cost) | For 100% electric vehicles equipped, where applicable, with a range extender | |
| Without threshold | 2- or 3-wheel motor vehicles and electric motor quadricycles the engine of which has a maximum net power greater than or equal to | 3 kWh and which do not use a lead-acid battery | 900€ | – |
What is the conversion bonus?
This is a scrapping bonus that you can take advantage of when taking back your diesel or petrol vehicle. Clearly, if you swap your old polluting car for a clean model , you benefit from a reduction on the purchase price of the new vehicle .
The vehicles concerned by the conversion bonus:
Cars and vans whose total authorized laden weight does not exceed 3.5 tonnes:
- gasoline registered before 1997 for taxable and non-taxable households
- diesel registered before 2001 for taxable households
- diesel registered before 2006 for non-taxable households
Scale of the 2019 vehicle conversion premium:
| Vehicle type | Amount of the conversion premium for taxable households | Amount of the conversion premium for non-taxable households |
| New electric vehicle or new plug-in hybrid with range constraint | 2 500 € | 2 500 € |
| Used electric vehicle or used rechargeable hybrid with range constraint | 1 000 € | 2 500 € |
| Petrol, diesel or LPG Crit’air 1 or plug-in hybrid vehicle with no range restrictions, new or used, with CO2 level ≤ 122 g/km | 1 000 € | 2 000 € |
| Crit’air 2 petrol, diesel or LPG vehicle, new or used, with CO2 level ≤ 122 g/km | 0 € | 2 000 € |
| New two-wheeler, motorized three-wheeler or electric quadricycle | 100 € | 1 100 € |
And what about the ecological bonus for two-wheelers?
The 2019 ecological bonus also applies, upon first registration, to new electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers or quadricycles purchased or leased (with purchase option or for a period of at least 2 years).
As with cars, the eco-bonus is only valid for new electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and quadricycles which do not use lead-acid batteries and which have not been sold within one year of their first registration or before having traveled at least 2000 km.
Scale of the 2019 ecological bonus for two-wheelers:
| Year of vehicle order or lease | Maximum Net Engine Power | Aid amount |
| 2019 | at least equal to 2 kw (EU regulation 168/2013) or 3 kw (directive 2002/24/EC) | €250 per kWh of energy from the battery without exceeding 27% of the vehicle’s acquisition cost including tax or €900 |
| 2019 | less than 2 kw (EU regulation 168/2013) or 3 kw (directive 2002/24/EC) | 20% of the vehicle’s acquisition cost including VAT within the limit of €100 |
| 2018 | at least equal to 3 kw | €250 per kWh of energy from the battery without exceeding 27% of the vehicle’s acquisition cost including tax or €900 |
| 2018 | less than 3 kw | 20% of the vehicle’s acquisition cost including VAT within the limit of €100 |
Bonus electric bike:
The State pays aid for the purchase of electric bicycles , it supplements the aid also granted by the local community. The combined amount of these two aids cannot exceed 20% of the purchase cost including tax of the bike or €200 .
To qualify, you must meet a number of conditions:
- be of legal age , domiciled in France and not taxable
- having purchased a new electric-assisted bicycle with a lead-free battery
- do not resell the bike within one year of purchase
- the bicycle must have an electric auxiliary motor with a maximum continuous power rating of 0.25 kilowatts
- have benefited from the aid paid by the local authorities for the same bike
