This year in Flanders, individuals (including individual entrepreneurs), non-profit associations and car-sharing companies will receive a prime when purchasing a electric car with a maximum value of 40,000 euros. It is therefore possible to save 5 000 euros on a new car and 3,000 euros on a used car. The measure by Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters is a great success. The counter now stands at approximately 13.000 primes. Consequence: the planned budget was completely exceeded.
The new Flemish government has therefore decided to end the bonus “as soon as legally possible”. And now we also know when the story ends. Normally, the bonus ran until December 31, 2024. This has changed: only cars purchased at the latest November 22, 2024 will still be eligible. On that day, you must therefore be in possession of a signed order form. Until December 31, 2024, you can register with this sales contract via the Flemish government’s electronic counter.
“Not credible”
This sudden removal raises many questions about the way the Flemish government governs. “The promised policies must also be implemented,” said Philippe Vangeel, director and spokesperson forEV Belgiumthe federation of companies promoting electric mobility. Quickly abandoning a measure taken by a previous minister undermines the confidence of the population in government. You are losing your credibility as a government.”
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The automobile federation FEBIAC also doubts the usefulness of a rapid abolition of the premium. She considers in fact that this anticipated deletion will have little effect on le budgetsince the bonus was due to expire at the end of December anyway. Interested parties will just have to make their decision a little earlier and sign an order form. But will this measure save the government much in the end?
Price increase
The end of the bonus may have a negative effect on price of electric cars. At the start of the premium, many brands reduced their prices to just below the 40,000 euro limit. Think of Volkswagen, Toyota or Tesla, for example. But now that this pressure no longer exists, it is likely that some brands will increase to their prices again.
The newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws carried out an investigation and gave the example of Tesla Model Y. You can buy it today for 34,990 euros (premium included), but in two weeks you will have to pay 45,990 euros. It is 11,000 euros more: 6,000 euros due to the price increase, 5,000 euros due to the removal of the premium. So you have a Dacia Spring at 11,620 euros (premium included) and it will soon cost almost double: 22,690 euros. These are of course the most striking examples. Those who want an electric car should therefore seize their chance in the coming days.
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