Overview
- The government says applications will be possible in May through the Förderzentrale/BAFA portal, and applicants must use a high‑trust BundID login and upload their two most recent income tax assessments.
- The law funds up to €6,000 for new battery‑electric cars and up to €4,500 for plug‑in hybrids based on income and child supplements, and buyers must keep the vehicle for three years.
- Only new M1‑class cars for private buyers qualify, used EVs are excluded for now, and new BEVs keep a motor‑vehicle tax exemption through December 31, 2035.
- German uptake is rising, with 64,350 pure EVs registered in April for a 25.8% share, as VW’s ID.3 led April’s electric registrations and Skoda’s Elroq topped the year‑to‑date list.
- Dealers warn the grant will push down used‑EV values and squeeze margins, while some economists question the need for a purchase bonus as China’s car market shows falling overall sales but record NEV exports.