Belgium: EV incentive will only be available in 2024

The Flemish government has announced a new round of subsidies for electric cars. However, these will only be available this year. The government had previously indicated that it would also be available in 2025 and 2026.

As in previous years, there is a bonus of 5,000 euros for new electric cars with a list price of less than 40,000 euros. For used EVs, buyers get up to 3,000 euros from the government if the vehicle originally cost less than 60,000 euros. The bonus amounts to a maximum of 25% of the purchase price.

Applications can be submitted from today. All-electric cars ordered after 25 September 2023 and not registered before 1 January 2024 are eligible. Used cars must be at least three and no more than eight years old to qualify. The government has now published a list of eligible vehicles.

“The Flemish market currently has more than 30 different models of zero-emission cars, mostly European brands, that fall under this ceiling (new price). The application desk contains a list of eligible vehicle models,” says the Minister for regional mobility, Lydia Peeters (Open VLD).     

The government has earmarked a total of 20 million euros for the bonus. The State Council had previously warned of the risk of inequalities if the allocated budget is not sufficient to meet the increasing demand.

For that reason, the bonuses will only be available in 2024 for the time being. As already mentioned, the premium was also supposed to made available for 2025 and 2026. However, the government is now leaving this task to its successors. “It’s the next Flemish government’s task to decide on the future of this venture,” said a spokesperson for the minister.

The elections for the federal parliament and the parliaments in the provinces and regions will take place in Belgium on 9 June 2024.

brusselstimes.com, lydiapeeters.be (in Dutch)