Overview
- BAFA’s online portal, switched on Tuesday during Minister Carsten Schneider’s press event, now takes digital applications from private buyers using a BundID.
- The scheme covers buying or leasing new cars first registered in Germany since January 1, 2026, including battery-electric and fuel-cell models plus certain plug-in hybrids and range-extender vehicles.
- Grants start at €3,000 for pure electric cars and €1,500 for plug-in hybrids, add €1,000 for incomes under €60,000 and another €1,000 under €45,000, include €500 per child for up to two children, and max out at €6,000.
- Applicants must keep the vehicle for 36 months, hybrids must meet at least 80 km electric range or no more than 60 g CO₂ per km, and the portal requires uploads of recent tax and vehicle documents via BundID set up with an ELSTER certificate or online ID.
- The program is funded with €3 billion through 2029 for about 800,000 vehicles, reactions range from dealer and VCD support to expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer calling it wasted tax money, and critics urge adding used EVs while hybrid rules face a review by mid‑2027.