Ecological bonus-malus: conditions are getting tougher for aid and penalties in 2025

The changes are part of a budgetary savings and ecological transition approach. And they will have a considerable impact on the purchase of vehicles for many French citizens.

Assistance for purchasing an EV will be reduced drastically

First change: assistance with the purchase of electric vehicles will be significantly reduced. The envelope will increase from 1.5 billion to 1 billion euros in 2025. The ecological bonus, introduced in 2017, will increase from €4,000 to €3,000 in 2025. However, the aid could be maintained at €7,000 for households with a reference tax income per share less than or equal to €14,089: the decision remains to be confirmed.

It is important to note that this ecological bonus only applies to cars under €47,000 and, since 2024, to models made in Europe like the Renault 5 electricFor example.

As a reminder, the amount of the ecological bonus reaches a maximum of 37% of the purchase price with the cost of the battery in the event of rental of this component. Aid for hybrid vehicles was removed at the end of 2022.

But the ecological bonus also applies to used vehicles under certain conditions. The amount is €1,000 for the purchase or long-term rental of a model that emits a maximum of 20 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Tightening of the ecological penalty

Second change: the tightening of the scale for ecological penalty. The threshold will gradually decrease over the next three years:

• From 118 g/km to 113 g/km in 2025
• From 113 g/km to 106 g/km in 2026
• From 106 g/km to 99 g/km in 2027

The maximum amount of the penalty will increase by €10,000/year. In 2024, it is set at €60,000 for vehicles emitting more than 193 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Then it will gradually reach €90,000 in 2027.

For the moment, here are the details of the ecological penalty in 2024:

• 118 g/km of CO2: €50
• 130 g/km of CO2: €310
• 150 g/km of CO2: €2,049
• 170 g/km of CO2: €8,770
• 194 g/km of CO2: the maximum penalty of €60,000 applies

The weight penalty for 1.5 ton vehicles

Third change: the weight penaltyor tax on mass in running order (TMOM), will evolve. 1.5 tonne vehicles will be affected from 2026, compared to 1.8 tonnes in 2023 and 1.6 tonnes in 2025.

These changes to the 2025 finance law are made as part of the ecological transition in the automotive sector. However, the purchase of electric vehicles could be less financially advantageous while the acquisition of polluting thermal vehicles will be penalized.