Up to 5,000 euros for low emissions

(CS) The CAR-e scheme has been extended until December 2012, providing benefits to those purchasing environmentally friendlier cars.

To boost sales of electric cars or cars with CO2 emissions lower than 60g/km, such as “plug-in” hybrids, the state support has been raised from 3,000 euros to 5,000 euros. In order to qualify for this benefit applicants need to prove their electricity supply comes from renewable sources.

Cars with emissions below 90g/km warrant a 1,500 euro benefit, while those with under 100g/km will get you 750 euros.

New is a 1,000 euro benefit for those buying electric quadricycles. These small vehicles are not allowed to surpass a weight of 400kg when unloaded with a maximum power of 15kW.

Since its introduction, 27,000 applications for the CAR-e bonus have been received and around 20,000 have been granted. It takes around 10 months for the grant to come through.

You can download the application form from the CAR-e website. The OekoTopen, a project from the Mouvement Ecologique, can help with the selection of low-emissions cars, white goods and more.