Dutch subsidy pot for second-hand EVs is empty after six months

The Dutch subsidy budget for used electric cars is oversubscribed. This means that more applications have been received than funds are available. New applications are therefore unlikely to be granted.

Dutch people who buy or lease a second-hand car can still apply for a subsidy, but the chance is ‘very small’ that a subsidy will actually be awarded. That writes the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, now the budget Tuesday is oversubscribed.

People who apply for a subsidy now may still receive money, for example if a previous applicant withdraws or does not meet the conditions. The RVO will draw lots for people who submitted an application on the day the budget was oversubscribed. Based on this lottery, the Central Government Agency determines who will or will not receive a subsidy.

Since January this year, there has been a total subsidy budget of 20.4 million euros for used electric cars. Applicants could receive 2000 euros. The scheme therefore provided a subsidy for more than 10,000 cars. To qualify for the subsidy, cars had to be fully electric and have a range of at least 120 km based on the WLTP standard. In addition, the original list price had to be between 12,000 and 45,000 euros and it could not be a converted EV.

A month ago, the budget for new electric cars was already exhausted. This means that the entire amount of 91.4 million euros that was available this year for the Subsidy Scheme for Electric Passenger Cars for Private Individuals has been oversubscribed.

From 2 January 2023, the Dutch will be able to apply for a subsidy for an EV again, but only for agreements concluded in or after 2023. The amount for used EVs remains the same at 2,000 euros, but that for new cars is 400 euros lower at 2,950 euros. Next year there will also be more budget for used EVs with 32.4 million euros. The total budget for new EVs will decrease slightly, to 67 million euros.