2026 ecological bonus: what remains after the budget cuts

The French ecological bonus has changed a lot in two years. After amounts of 6,000 or 7,000 euros, the 2026 envelope emerges from budget cuts with more modest figures, stricter income thresholds and a narrower scope of eligible vehicles. This article lays out what is actually available in 2026, with no inflated promises, and which options to combine to switch to electric without breaking the bank.

The 2026 amounts: the real numbers

New electric passenger car

The 2026 scale has two tiers. For a household with a reference tax income per share below 16,300 euros, the bonus reaches 4,000 euros on a new electric car priced under 47,000 euros (purchase price including tax and options). Above that income threshold, the bonus drops to 3,000 euros, for the same vehicle category.

Electric vans and other categories

Electric vans keep a larger envelope: 5,000 to 7,000 euros depending on the N1 category and price. Electric two-wheelers above 11 kW remain eligible for a residual bonus around 900 euros. Plug-in hybrids have been excluded from the scheme through several budget waves: do not count on them.

Who is eligible

The 47,000-euro price ceiling

The reference price includes options and delivery costs. A Tesla Model Y at 49,000 euros with options falls outside the scheme, even if the base version is listed at 44,000 euros. Read the final invoice carefully before signing: it is the total figure including tax that counts, not the marketing sheet.

The income condition

The 4,000-euro increased bonus is based on the reference tax income per share from year N-2 (so the 2024 tax notice for a 2026 purchase). That is the figure to compare to the 16,300-euro threshold, not gross annual income. A household with two dependent children easily falls below the threshold even with two average salaries.

Mandatory holding period

The vehicle must be kept at least one year and driven at least 6,000 km. Otherwise, the bonus must be partially repaid. This anti-abuse rule targets the rapid resales to Eastern Europe that had saturated the scheme in 2023-2024.

Stacking with the conversion premium

The cumul possible

The conversion premium remains stackable with the ecological bonus in 2026, under conditions. It applies to households that scrap a diesel vehicle from before 2011 or a petrol vehicle from before 2006. Amounts: 1,500 to 5,000 euros depending on reference tax income, with a low-emission zone bonus for residents of restricted areas.

The case of Crit'Air vehicles blocked in low-emission zones

If your current vehicle is rated Crit'Air 3, 4 or 5 and you live in a low-emission zone that bans it, the conversion premium offers a 1,000-euro low-emission zone bonus. Stacked with the increased ecological bonus and a possible regional grant, total support can reach 7,000 to 8,000 euros on an electric car priced under 47,000 euros.

What disappeared in 2026

The plug-in hybrid bonus

Gone since 2024, no comeback planned. Plug-in hybrids are seen as a transition technology and the state chose to focus support on full electric. If you were hesitating between the two, that is one more argument for pure electric.

Standard leasing without conditions

Standard electric leasing no longer qualifies for the bonus if the lease term is shorter than 2 years. To benefit from the support, you need either a purchase or a 3-year minimum lease with explicit commitment. The 100-euros-per-month social leasing is a separate scheme covered in our dedicated article.

Eligible vehicles: the 2026 short list

Best value combinations

Citroen e-C3 (around 23,000 euros), Renault R5 E-Tech (from 25,000 euros), Dacia Spring (around 15,000 euros), Peugeot e-208, Volkswagen ID.3 base, BYD Dolphin Surf. All stay below the 47,000-euro ceiling and qualify for the full bonus.

Check the official list

ADEME and the primealaconversion.gouv.fr portal publish an updated list of eligible vehicles. Always ask the dealer for the eligibility reference before signing. If the model is not eligible, the bonus is not applied to the price, full stop.

How to actually collect the bonus

Advance via the dealer

In 90% of cases the dealer advances the bonus and deducts it from the final price. You pay nothing extra. The dealer is then reimbursed by the state via a dedicated platform. This is the simplest route and the one to prefer.

Direct claim by the buyer

If the dealer refuses to advance the bonus (rare but possible with some independents), you pay the full price and claim the bonus after registration on primealaconversion.gouv.fr. Supporting documents: invoice, registration certificate, bank details, tax notice. Processing time: 4 to 8 weeks.

DevisPermis expert opinion

The 2026 ecological bonus is still useful, but it is no longer the massive boost from three years ago. To maximise support, aim for a vehicle under 30,000 euros, check your reference tax income, and stack with the conversion premium if you scrap an old diesel. For tight budgets, also look at social leasing or a recent used electric with battery under warranty: sometimes more interesting than a bonused new car.

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