The eco bonus, a key financial incentive for electric car buyers, is set to undergo a significant transformation in 2024. The rules of the game are changing, and with them, the opportunities to purchase specific models with financial benefits.
In 2024, the ecological bonus will undergo significant changes. The government plans to introduce an “environmental score” which will be calculated based on the entire electric car value chain, from the production of raw materials to the delivery of the final vehicle. This score aims to provide a complete and transparent measurement of the environmental impact of each vehicle, thus promoting more responsible and informed consumption choices.
However, this environmental score also seems to have a restrictive function. Indeed, it could act as a sanction mechanism against electric cars manufactured outside European territory, in particular those from China.
Although the precise list of vehicles that will be affected by this measure is not yet available (it will be revealed in November 2023), it is likely that electric cars produced on other continents will no longer benefit from the ecological bonus, currently between 5,000 and 7,000 euros for vehicles costing less than 47,000 euros (depending on your income).
What there is to know
To start, if you want to avoid the environmental score being applied, you should order your car before December 15, 2023 And make sure you receive it before March 15, 2024. It’s a sort of race against time, because after these dates, the environmental score could well increase the price.
There is also a subtlety to know. Previously, to calculate whether you were entitled to the ecological bonus, the government took into account the total price of the car, with all the options. Now, they will just base it on the base price of the vehicle without counting the options. This means that you can choose additional equipment, without fear of losing the bonus. But, be careful, not all manufacturers apply this rule. From what we know, Tesla applies this rule.
Seven models to acquire before changing
It is therefore relevant to consider purchasing certain models before the application of these new rules.
Dacia Spring
This car, often praised for its affordable cost, offers various variants, from the Electric 45 to the 65 Extreme. It seduces with its very compact SUV appearance, with a notable ground clearance of 15.1 cm.
Its length of 3.73m and width of 1.58m make it an agile option for urban driving, although its highway performance is limited.
New Tesla Model 3
After a restyling, the Model 3 continues to be popular with electric car enthusiasts. However, being imported from Shanghai, it risks no longer benefiting from the ecological bonus.
It shines with its performance, its autonomy, its services and access to the extensive network of Tesla Superchargers. We tried it in October 2023.
9 /10
MG4
A SAIC group vehicle, the MG4 is recognized for its excellent quality-price-performance ratio, which makes it the worst enemy of Renault’s Mégane E-Tech.
Its popularity could, however, be hampered by the revision of the ecological bonus. It stands out with an elegant design, pleasant driving and good performance.
The first vehicles from the Chinese manufacturer MG have made a rather discreet entry into the French market. However, the MG4 model generated more buzz, thanks in part to harmonious interior and exterior design, excellent performance and a well-stocked range of standard equipment. Additionally, with an ambitious plan to conquer the European market, the brand plans to launch 10 new products by 2025. Thus, MG is a name that is expected to come up frequently in discussions around the automotive industry in the coming months. come.
Meanwhile, the entire MG range, including the MG5, ZS EV and Marvel R models, is about to be eligible for the eco bonus.
Smart #1 and Volvo EX30
Coming from the Geely platform, these cars present interesting alternatives in the compact electric SUV segment. The Smart #1 (already on sale) and Volvo EX30 (on pre-sale), however, risk seeing their ecological bonus disappear quickly after their launch. The EX30 will be able to benefit from this in 2025, because Geely has decided to switch its production to Belgium. But, if you want to have your vehicle with the ecological bonus in 2024, don’t delay. We also had the opportunity to test the EX30 recently.
However, these are two very attractive alternatives to the new Peugeot e-2008.
8 /10
Mini Cooper
The new electric versions of Mini Cooper, with their iconic design and dynamism, are also in the hot seat. They offer responsive and sporty driving typical of the brand, with the addition of the silent and efficient electric motor.
On the other hand, the new electric Countryman is the very close cousin (same platform) of the BMW iX1, it is produced in Germany, in the BMW factory in Leipzig, that it is produced.
Fiat 500 electric
This electric Fiat 500 is produced in Italy. So why could it no longer be eligible for the ecological bonus? Due to its approval for four places, the 500th may not meet the criteria of the new ecological bonus allocation system planned for 2024 in France.
This system provides for a stricter CO2 equivalent cap for four-seater vehicles (8,750 kg) compared to five-seater vehicles (14,250 kg). If the 500th exceeds this limit, it could find itself without financial support from the state, which could obviously affect its sales.
8 /10
Less choice for consumers
In addition, the new regulations in France directly impact the initiatives of Chinese automobile brands recently introduced to the market, such as Aiways, Leapmotor, Seres and BYD. These regulatory changes limit the options available to consumers, while imposing an administrative burden on businesses. This government strategy seems to be designed to satisfy French manufacturers by slowing down the momentum of their Chinese counterparts on French territory. What if this forced Chinese manufacturers to invest in France?
Concerning investments in the automobile manufacturing sector, France does not currently appear to be a preferred destination for foreign manufacturers, particularly those outside the European Union. Indeed, faced with less attractive reception conditions, the latter could turn to other European countries to establish their factories and operations there. Despite everything, the French government believes in it, it wants to convince Tesla, SAIC and even BYD.