Who is the extension of state aid for VAE aimed at?
In a context where the protection of the environment and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions have become priorities, successive governments are increasingly inclined to encourage ecological modes of transportation. Among these, electrically assisted bicycles (EABs) now occupy a place of choice, particularly because they offer a practical and sustainable alternative to traditional motorized vehicles. In order to support this transition to more environmentally friendly mobility, the State has set up several financial aid schemes to facilitate the purchase of an EAB. Although most of them were supposed to stop at the end of 2022, they have been extended for the whole year 2023.
But then, what is the context and what are the issues that justify the extension of these aids? Who are the beneficiaries? Let's take stock of the state aid extended in 2023 and which aims to encourage the purchase of electric bikes.
Context and issues surrounding the extension of aid for the purchase of electric bicycles
In an effort to promote sustainable mobility and reduce pollution in cities, the French government has set up various subsidies to facilitate the purchase of electrically assisted bicycles (EABs) in France. The aim of these measures is to encourage the population to opt for this environmentally friendly mode of transport and thus to limit the use of cars in cities.
Thanks to their electric assistance, the VAEs offer a practical solution for travel in the city, particularly for people who have difficulty using a conventional bicycle due to a disability or the topography of their region. However, the price of an electric bicycle is often higher than that of a traditional bicycle, hence the need to offer financial aid to encourage their acquisition.
For this reason, the State has introduced several aid schemes to facilitate the purchase of an electric bicycle, such as the bicycle bonus or the electric bicycle conversion premium. The amount of these subsidies varies according to the applicant's situation, his or her resources and the type of electric bike chosen, such as cargo bikes.
Among the key measures, the bonus for the conversion of electric bikes is particularly aimed at people who want to get rid of their motorized vehicle in favor of an electric bike. As for the bicycle bonus, it aims to encourage the purchase of electric bicycles, starting with cargo bikes suitable for transporting goods and/or for business trips. It should be noted that this aid can reach several hundred euros for a classic electric bicycle and 2,000 € for a folding, cargo, extended or disabled electric bicycle.
Therefore, in a context where the energy transition and the fight against climate change are at the heart of the concerns, the extension of the aids for the VAE represents a major stake to encourage sustainable mobility. Thanks to these measures, more and more French people can benefit from an electric bicycle and contribute to a more environmentally friendly future.
The electric bike conversion bonus: what you need to know
The electric bike conversion bonus is a financial aid set up by the French government to encourage the purchase of electrically assisted bicycles (EAB). This bonus aims to encourage citizens to opt for a more ecological and economical means of transport than the traditional motorized car.
Beneficiaries of the premium for the conversion electric bike
This scheme is specifically aimed at individuals of legal age or minors who reside in metropolitan France and in the overseas departments, as well as companies and associations established in France for the acquisition or long-term rental (LLD) of electric bicycles.
In order to benefit from this bonus, several conditions must be met, particularly with regard to the applicant, the vehicle being scrapped and the VAE purchased. For example, the applicant must:
- be of age;
- be domiciled in France;
- have purchased or leased a VAE;
- respect certain income conditions.
Eligible companies and associations must also be domiciled in France.
Conditions specific to the old vehicle and the purchased EAV
The scrapped vehicle must
- belong to the category of cars or vans ;
- be registered before 2006 for gasoline vehicles and before 2011 for diesel vehicles;
- be permanently registered in France and owned by the applicant for at least one year;
- have been insured for at least one year before being scrapped;
- not be pledged;
- be destroyed within 3 months before the purchase of the EAB or 6 months after.
The EAB purchased with the electric bike conversion premium can be new or used. In all cases, it must belong to the category of the VAE, not be equipped with a battery with lead, and especially, to have been bought or rented between August 15, 2022 and December 31, 2023. Of course, the electrically-assisted bicycle concerned must also have a unique identifier.
The amount of the premium for the conversion electric bike
The amount varies according to the applicant's reference tax income per unit. If this is less than or equal to 6,358 €, the amount can be as much as 40% of the purchase price, up to a ceiling of 3,000 €. If the reference tax income per unit is higher than this amount, the amount can still reach 40% of the purchase price, but with a ceiling of 1,500 €. It should be noted that people with disabilities can benefit from an aid of 40% of the purchase price with a ceiling of 3,000 €, without their tax income being taken into account.
It is also possible to benefit from an additional premium of 1,000 € if the applicant lives or works in a low mobility emission zone (ZFE) and if assistance is granted by the local authority. The amount of the bonus can be increased by the amount of this local contribution, up to a maximum of 2,000 €.
Steps to take to obtain the electric bicycle conversion premium
In any case, to obtain the premium for the conversion of electric bicycle, you just have to follow the online steps on the dedicated website of the government. Several documents must be provided by the applicant, such as a bank statement, the vehicle registration document of the scrapped vehicle or the unique identification number of the purchased EAB.
The ecological bonus for an electric cargo bike
As we have seen previously, the bicycle bonus is also a possibility to finance the purchase of an EAB. However, it is undoubtedly within the framework of the acquisition of an electric cargo bike that this device is the most interesting.
Indeed, the electric cargo bike is designed to transport people or goods. It is particularly well suited to transporting heavier loads thanks to its more powerful batteries, its reinforced frame and its ability to accommodate a trailer. However, its price can be very high. On the market, models of this kind vary between 2,000 and 9,000 €. It all depends on the manufacturer, the bike and its options.
Faced with such an investment, the ecological bonus for electric cargo bikes is particularly appropriate, especially since its conditions of attribution are substantially similar to the bonus for the conversion of electric bikes. Thus, the amount of the bonus is a maximum of 2,000 € for people whose reference tax income per unit is less than or equal to 6,358 €. Beyond that, when the reference tax income per unit is between 6,358 and 14,089 €, the amount is a maximum of 1,000 €.
Legal entities (companies, associations, local authorities) can also benefit from the ecological bonus for electric cargo bikes, up to a maximum of 1,000 €.
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