The environmental bonus for all-electric-driven and for plug-in-hybrid vehicles amounts to 4,000 euros and 3,000 euros respectively. The bonus is paid for all new vehicles from producers who participate in the programme. Half of the environmental bonus is directly deducted from the purchase price (producer's share), and the federal government's share is paid by BAFA directly to the applicant.

As from 2 July 2016, car buyers can submit applications to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) (in German), which also provides information by phone (+49 6196 908-1009). The funding guideline implementing the purchase grant for electric vehicles (environmental bonus) was published in the Federal Gazette on 1 July 2016. The environmental bonus is granted retroactively for purchases of electric vehicles as from 18 May 2016.

Car buyers can submit their applications - only online - to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). The purchase contract must specify the purchase price as reduced by the producer.

You can find more details about the information to be submitted for the application here (in German). BAFA pays the federal government's share of the environmental bonus (50%) directly to the final customer. The environmental bonus is also paid to customers who lease eligible vehicles. This also applies to the purchase and lease of company and commercial vehicles.

No. Used electric vehicles are not covered by the purchase grant. Since the incentive is to assist the market ramp-up of electric mobility, only new vehicles are eligible.

The environmental bonus is paid for electric-driven cars and for light commercial all-electric driven and plug-in-hybrid vehicles. In addition, the bonus is paid for vehicles - regardless of the drives - with no local CO2 emissions and for vehicles - regardless of the drives - with a maximum of 50 g CO2 emissions per km. This means that electrically powered two-wheeled vehicles (e-bikes) are not eligible.

Unlike other hybrid vehicles, plug-in-hybrids can be purely electronically driven over a certain distance and be charged externally with electricity from renewable energy. The funding amounts to 3,000 euros for vehicles emitting a maximum of 50 g CO2/km. Plug-in-hybrids meet these requirements.

Yes. Hydrogen-powered vehicles receive 4,000 euros provided that the net list price of the basic model is lower than 60,000 euros.

Private, commercial and free-lance applicants are eligible for funding. This means that company cars and other commercial vehicles are also eligible.

No. Vehicles must be first registered in Germany. This is not the case with re-imported vehicles.

Car manufacturers must inform BAFA about the vehicle models which are to be part of the programme. The car manufacturers' participation is to be noted in the purchase contracts. Funding is based on the net list prices of the basic models as of 31 December 2015.