Electric car subsidy 2026: Secure a subsidy of up to €6,000
Feb 6, 2026
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Electric car subsidy 2026: Up to €6,000 subsidy from the government
Government subsidies for electric cars are back. Since January 1, 2026, the federal government has been supporting private individuals with up to €6,000 when they buy or lease an electric car. The subsidy program applies retroactively to all new registrations since the beginning of the year. Applications are expected to be accepted starting in May 2026. The amount of the subsidy depends on your taxable household income, the number of children you have, and the type of drive system in the vehicle.
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The subsidy program is back: the most important information at a glance
After the environmental bonus ended in December 2023, there was no purchase subsidy for electric cars in Germany for two years. That is now changing. The Federal Ministry for the Environment has launched a new program. A total of €3 billion is available – enough for an estimated 800,000 eligible vehicles by 2029.
The big difference to the previous environmental bonus is that the new subsidy is socially graded. Households with low and middle incomes receive more money. Families with children also benefit additionally.
The most important key data:
Criterion | Details |
Valid from | January 1, 2026 (retroactive) |
Application | Expected to be available online from May 2026 |
Funding | 1,500 to a maximum of 6,000 euros |
Income limit | Maximum taxable household income of €80,000 |
Minimum holding period | 36 months |
Applies to | Purchase and leasing of new cars |
Important: You can buy or lease now. The subsidy will be paid out after registration as soon as the application portal is activated. So if you have already placed an order, you don't have to wait.
Who gets how much? The social scale explained
The new subsidy works differently from the previous environmental bonus. Back then, everyone received the same amount. Now, the amount depends on three factors: the drive system, taxable income, and the number of children in the household.
The basic subsidy according to drive system
Every eligible household receives at least the basic subsidy. The amount depends on the drive system:
Vehicule type | Basic subsidy |
Purely battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) | 3,000 euros |
Plug-in hybrid or range extender | 1,500 |
Income scale
Households with lower incomes can receive a higher subsidy in addition to the basic premium. The taxable annual income is decisive:
Taxable income | Additional subsidy |
Less than 60,000 euros per year | + €1,000 |
Less than 45,000 euros per year | + $2,000 (total) |
Calculation example: A household with a taxable income of €40,000 purchases a BEV. The calculation: €3,000 base plus €1,000 (under €60,000) plus another €1,000 (under €45,000). This results in a total bonus of €5,000.
The family bonus for households with children
Families benefit twice. The income limit increases and there is an additional bonus per child:
Advantage | Details |
Higher income limit | + 5,000 euros per child (max. 2 children) |
Additional bonus | + €500 per child (max. 2 children) |
The maximum subsidy of €6,000 is available to families with at least two children, an income below €45,000, and a purely electric vehicle: €3,000 base + €2,000 income bonus + €1,000 family bonus.
Which vehicles are eligible?
The subsidy program applies to new M1 class vehicles that are being registered in Germany for the first time. There is no price cap. Models from Chinese manufacturers are also eligible.
Purely electric vehicles (BEV): All models without restriction. The subsidy is at least €3,000.
Plug-in hybrids and range extenders: Eligible from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, if they have an electric range of at least 80 kilometers or emit a maximum of 60 grams of CO₂ per kilometer. The subsidy is €1,500.
Used cars: Currently not eligible. However, the ministry is reviewing relevant regulations for the future.
Company cars: The 0.25 percent rule remains in place
The new purchase subsidy is aimed at private individuals. Anyone who drives an electric car as a company car will continue to benefit from significant tax advantages.
A new price limit has been in effect since July 2025: Electric vehicles with a gross list price of up to €100,000 are taxed at only 0.25 percent of the list price per month. For combustion engines, the rate is one percent. For cars over €100,000, a rate of 0.5 percent applies.
Sample calculation:
Vehicule | Monetary benefit/month |
Combustion engine (50,000 euros) | $500 (1.0%) |
Electric car (€50,000) | 125 (0.25%) |
The regulation applies to all first registrations until the end of 2030. For companies, there is also a declining balance depreciation: anyone who buys an electric car between 2025 and 2028 can deduct 75 percent of the purchase cost from their taxes in the first year.
Vehicle tax: exemption extended until 2035
On December 4, 2025, the German Bundestag extended the vehicle tax exemption for purely electric vehicles by five years. Anyone who registers their electric car for the first time by the end of 2030 will drive tax-free for up to ten years – but no longer than December 31, 2035.
The earlier you buy, the longer the savings. A car registered in 2026 will remain tax-free for ten years, while one registered in 2030 will only be tax-free for five years. The annual savings amount to at least 50 euros.
How to apply
The online portal is expected to go live in May 2026. The subsidy can be applied for retroactively. The decisive factor is the date of first registration after January 1, 2026.
You should have the following documents ready: income tax assessment (for the last two years), purchase or leasing contract, registration certificate part I, and, for families, proof of children in the household.
The application must be submitted no later than one year after registration. After review, the subsidy will be transferred directly to your account – it will not be deducted from the purchase price.
Fast charging with Electra: The addition to the subsidy
The subsidy reduces the purchase price. In everyday life, it's the charging costs that count. With the Electra fast-charging network, you can charge on the go at transparent rates – with no surprises.
Rate | Price per kWh |
With Electra+ subscription | From 0.29 euros |
With app (without subscription) | 0.39–0.61 |
Without app (EC card) | From €0.61 |
With the Electra+ subscription, you can secure favorable conditions for all fast charging stations in the network. This means your electric car pays for itself from the very first kilometer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I also apply for the subsidy for a leased vehicle?
Yes. The subsidy applies to both purchases and leases. Prerequisite: The car must be registered to you and you must comply with the minimum holding period of 36 months.
What happens if I sell the car before the 36 months are up?
Then you will have to repay the subsidy on a pro rata basis. The exact details will be published when the application is submitted.
Does the income of both partners count?
Yes. In the case of marriage or cohabitation, the taxable income of both partners is added together. The limit of €80,000 applies to the entire household.
Are used cars also eligible for subsidies?
No, not for the time being. The program applies exclusively to new cars with initial registration in Germany. However, the ministry is reviewing regulations for used electric cars.
Is there a price cap for eligible vehicles?
No. Unlike the previous environmental bonus, there is no limit on the purchase price. Even high-priced models are eligible as long as the income limit is met.
Written by Katharina – Mobility Expert at Electra
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