Overview
- Private buyers of new battery EVs receive a €3,000 base grant and qualifying plug‑in hybrids or range‑extenders get €1,500, with total support rising to €6,000 through income- and child-based top‑ups.
- Funding totals €3 billion for roughly 800,000 vehicles, covers purchases and leases registered from January 1, 2026, and applications are set to open via an online portal in May with up to one year to apply.
- Eligibility is capped at a taxable household income of €80,000, increasing by €5,000 per child up to €90,000, with extra €1,000 for incomes ≤€60,000 and another €1,000 for ≤€45,000, plus €500 per child up to €1,000.
- Plug‑in hybrids and range‑extenders qualify only if type‑approved at ≤60 g CO₂/km or at least 80 km electric range; a 36‑month minimum holding period applies, used cars are excluded, and a review is planned from July 2027.
- IG Metall and some industry voices welcomed the social targeting and job rationale, while environmental groups and Green politicians criticized hybrid inclusion and scope, and economists warned of limited long‑term impact and potential pricing distortions; an EU‑origin preference may be examined.