Eco government grants for work vans in France are increased

The grant covers 40% of the purchase price, including tax, up to a limit of €7,000 if it is bought by a company and €5,000 if bought by a private individual

There are two types of grant available for electric and hybrid models

Professionals looking to buy a utility van for work can benefit from new, enhanced government grants for electric and hybrid models.

There are two types of grant available. One is the bonus écologique, which is available for the purchase of utility vans (véhicules utilitaires légers, or VULs) with carbon dioxide emissions of 20g/km or less.

The grant covers 40% of the purchase price, including tax, up to a limit of €7,000 if it is bought by a company and €5,000 if bought by a private individual. This is increased if the battery is hired, rather than bought with the vehicle.

The second grant is the prime à la conversion, which is available to someone sending an old diesel or petrol vehicle to be scrapped and replacing it with a VUL hybrid which has at least 50km all-electric autonomy in town.

It is 40% of the purchase price, with ceilings depending on the type of utility van.

It is possible to apply for both grants in the same purchase, with a ceiling of €10,000 for a Class I vehicle, €12,000 for a Class II vehicle, and €14,000 for a Class III vehicle. Both grants can be deducted from the purchase price by the garage or, if that is not offered, applications can be made by post or online.

Application must be made within six months of purchase.

Since this July, the bonus vélo has been extended to cargo bikes or electric trailers for bikes, in part to encourage professionals to use them rather than vans if they only have light loads for work.

The purchase must be made between July 26 this year and December 31, 2022.

However, it is only available to buyers with a revenu fiscal de référence par part equal or lower than €13,489.

The revenu fiscal de référence is found on income tax returns and then divided by the number of people taxed per household. For example, a couple with one child is three parts.

The bonus vélo covers 40% of the bike up to €1,000.

To be eligible for the prime à la conversion, the cargo bike must replace a car or van older than 2011 (if diesel) or 2006 (petrol).

It covers 40% of the cost up to €1,500. Details can be found online here.

Related stories

How to compare prices of petrol or diesel at stations across France

Grand Est: Drivers can save €600 a year with fuel conversion scheme