EV buyers beware: new subsidy pool from 10 January 2023

Anyone in the market for a new or second-hand electric car would do well to wait until January. On January 10 at 09:00 you can again apply for a SEPP purchase subsidy for the purchase of a new or used electric car.

As you may know, there will be a larger amount in the subsidy pot in 2023, but this time a smaller part of it is intended for SEPP subsidy for new electric cars. First, the state of affairs in 2022. This year €91.4 million was available, of which €71 million was reserved to stimulate the purchase of new electric cars. The remaining €20.4 million was earmarked to boost the purchase of used EVs.

In 2023 there will be no less than €8 million more budget available at €99.4 million, but ‘only’ €67 million of that will be available in 2023 for a purchase subsidy on a new EV. That is about 6 percent less than last year. Logically, there will be more budget available in 2023 as a financial incentive for the purchase of a used electric car. This concerns a total amount of €32.4 million, about 60 percent more than in 2022.

New electric car

As in previous years, you cannot use the subsidy scheme for every new or used electric car (purchase and lease). Only new EVs with a catalog value of €12,000 to €45,000 are eligible. In addition, the subsidy amount has been adjusted downwards in 2023. Where you received an allowance of €3,350 in 2022, the purchase subsidy in 2023 will only be €2,950. That is 12 percent less. For 2023, a budget is available for 22,711 new electric cars. In 2022, a budget was available for 21,194 new EVs. So 1,518 pieces less. Incidentally, the purchased electric car must remain in the name of the subsidy applicant for an uninterrupted period of 3 years. So there is no quick transfer.

Incidentally, it is a good idea to fill in the registration number of your intended new electric car at RDW. If the car has had a pre-registration with, for example, a car or leasing company, it will be regarded as ‘used’ for the SEPP scheme. The date of first admission, first registration in the Netherlands and the date of the last registration must be the same. You can read more about the conditions here that apply to applying for a SEPP subsidy for the purchase of a new electric car. Do you want a lease a new electric car? Then you have to deal with these conditions.

Used electric car

The financial incentive for the purchase of a used electric car is €2,000, just like in 2022. Only used electric cars with a original catalog value of €12,000 to €45,000 are eligible for the scheme. In 2023, SEPP subsidies will be available for around 16,200 second-hand electric cars. In 2022, this number was 10,200 units, 6,000 units less.

For both new and used EVs, they are only eligible for the SEPP subsidy scheme if they can achieve a range of at least 120 kilometers (WLTP). Vehicles converted into EVs are also excluded from participation. You can read more about the conditions here. Do you want to lease a used electric car, but also benefit from the subsidy scheme? Then you have to deal with these conditions.

Apply for SEPP grant

You can apply for a subsidy again from 10 January at 09:00. This is only possible after the purchase or lease agreement has been concluded, although the car does not have to be delivered or registered yet. The agreement must be concluded on or after January 1, 2023. Please keep your DigiD login details to hand when applying for a subsidy. Applying again takes time, although it does not seem that the subsidy pot will be empty again as quickly as in 2020. Last year, the subsidy pot was officially empty on 7 July.

In 2024, the purchase subsidy for a new electric car will be reduced from €2,950 to €2,550. For second-hand EVs, the amount remains at €2,000. After 2024, the subsidy scheme is over and done with.

Car list SEPP

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency maintains a list of car brands and models that may be eligible for the scheme. Please note that this list is an auxiliary model and no rights can be derived from it and may not be complete.