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The government is preparing a massive blow for motorists. A reform under discussion could hit a certain type of vehicle head-on. Its impact? A hard blow for the wallets of those concerned.
Which cars are targeted? What changes are coming? The details of this measure, still under debate, could well disrupt habits many motorists. So here's what you need to know.
Motorists, too, in the viewfinder
To reduce the budget deficit, the government is increasing cost-saving measures. Of many categories of taxpayers remain involved. Retirees, for example, will see the revaluation of their pensions adjust. Wealthy households, for their part, remain subject to new taxes. And large companies will have to make additional contributions.
The state appears to be exploring all solutions to maximize savings. And motorists are also among the potential targets. Among the avenues mentioned, the creation of a retroactive penalty on a particular type of car could apply. This measure risks weighing heavily on drivers' wallets.
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Motorists, prepare your wallet
For motorists, the ecological penalty is nothing new. When registering a new car, the owner pays a tax based on CO2 emissions of his vehicle. This amount, calculated per gram of CO2 emitted per kilometer, varies depending on the level of pollution of the car.
The tax can reach up to 60,000 euros for the most polluting models. Something to think about before investing in a car with high emissions.
However, a major change is looming. The government would consider another form of this devicepotentially retroactive. A prospect that is already making motorist defense associations cringe.
If this reform comes to fruition, motorists will have to prepare for significant additional expensesdirectly impacting their budget. The message is clear: owning a polluting car could cost much more in the years to come.
Impossible to escape
Did you think you were safe from the ecological penalty? Think again! Initially reserved for new vehiclesthis system could soon also apply to used cars. Affected motorists will have to prepare for a new bill. Indeed, this measure will target the registration of vehicles not subject to the ecological penalty when they are first put into circulation.
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If a new vehicle escaped this purchase tax (due to an exemption)the new owner will then have to pay it upon resale. However, this retroactive penalty will only apply once, to the first transaction on the second-hand market.
This project is already attracting strong criticism from motorists. However, the government defends itself by invoking a current priority: the ecological transition. “This measure aims to support the greening of the vehicle fleet, while maintaining a constant tax yield”explains Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister responsible for the Budget and Public Accounts.
Still under discussion
The retroactive penalty for used cars remains subject to debate and still awaits approval by the National Assembly.
Although essential to strengthen state finances, this bill encounters opposition among deputies. Many people wonder about its economic and social impact, particularly for low-income motorists.
The final decision will come with the adoption of the budget scheduled for the end of December. If this device is validated, its application could start from 2026. And the worst part of this is that it could be accompanied by an increase in the ecological penalty on new vehicles. A measure which may apply from January 1, 2025.
