The Flemish government will end the purchase premium for electric cars from 1 January next year. According to Flemish Minister of Energy Zuhal Demir (N-VA), the premium has too little effect. The amount of that premium can amount to 4.000 euros. The premium is intended to encourage people to buy a “zero-emission vehicle”, which can make the fleet greener.

The subsidy will be discontinued from January 1, 2020, even though the previous Minister of Energy, Lydia Peeters (Open VLD), earlier this year decided to extend the subsidy until the end of 2020. Anyone who still has a “zero” by December 31, 2019 -Emission vehicle ”, is still entitled to a premium. Provided the subsidy is applied for by 31 October 2020 at the latest, Minister Demir clarifies.

So my next car will be a diesel again

The Febiac car sector federation also calls the decision of the Flemish government “detrimental to the greening of the vehicle fleet”.

“The breakthrough of the electric car has only just begun. Today is choosing less and 1 percent of private car buyers for an electric car. A strong fiscal stimulus is really indispensable today. ”

The premium does not encourage the Fleming to purchase an electric car

Gianni Paelinck (VRT NWS) writes that last year a total of 415 premiums were awarded while almost 3.700 new electric cars were registered. The government therefore had to pay just over 1,4 million euros, while 5 million was provided. "The premium has had little influence on the willingness of the average private Fleming to purchase such vehiclesDemir concludes.

Also read: Subsidies for electric cars are going down due to the Climate Agreement