Check the new cars that earn an ‘eco’ bonus

Drivers buying new eco-friendly cars can get a ‘bonus’ reward of up to €6,000 while those opting to buy less-clean vehicles can face a ‘malus’ penalty of up to €10,000 for those that emit the most CO2.

For 2017 the ‘bonus écologique’ is directed towards non-polluting electric vehicles (those emitting less than 20g/km of CO2) and to the €6,000 reward can be added €3,700 for those getting rid of a diesel vehicle that is more than 10 years old.

Hybrid rechargeable vehicles, which emit 21g-606/km CO2, can receive a reward of €1,000 plus an extra €2,500 for changing from a polluting diesel.

Environmental agency Ademe has published a list of the best-performing vehicles and has a search function for different models – see best-performing lists, below.

However, market analysts have been quick to point out that with the switch to promoting electric vehicles, more internal combustion vehicles are facing penalty payments.

With the car-buying season taking off, analysts have pointed out that even in the quieter winter sales period the number of vehicles facing penalties has soared… as have the takings for the government.

The number of new cars sold since the turn of the year – when the new scheme came into place – and liable for a malus has risen 50%. In total, 16% of drivers buying new cars since the beginning of the year have paid a penalty, against 10.8% a year earlier.

The bulk of vehicles land in the ‘no man’s land’ where they gain no bonus and pay no malus but from 127g/km of CO2 (down from 131g/km last year) the penalty comes into force on a rapidly rising scale to €10,000.

That first slice of penalty payments (from 127g/km) brings in just €50 per car but, although few were sold, it totalled €484,750 in the first quarter. On the other hand, high-powered sporty cars emitting 191g/km CO2 were clobbered to the tune of €17.6million at €10,000 a pop.

Carried out over the year, that could mean swelling government coffers by €347m, or 35% up on last year.

There are more losers than winners with the penalty on the popular Dacia Duster 115hp petrol (145g/km) rising from €500 to €860 and the sporty Ford Focus RS (175g/km) hammered with a 164% rise from €2,200 to €5,810.

Even at that, it is possible for a buyer of a petrol Range Rover to pay a €2,300 penalty for the 199g/km emissions – but still pick up a Classe 1 Critair air pollution sticker (the best after electric vehicles) as this does not target CO2 emissions.