Frequently Asked Questions About the Electric Vehicle Subsidy 2026
Answers to the 10 most common questions about the portal, deadlines, income, leasing and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the application be processed and when will the money arrive?
After complete submission of all documents, the review usually takes 4-8 weeks. During peak periods it may take longer. You can check the status of your application at any time in the online portal. Payment is made by bank transfer to the specified IBAN.
What exactly is taxable income (zvE) and where do I find it?
Taxable income is the amount in your tax assessment after deduction of all allowances and special expenses. You can find it in your income tax assessment in the line 'Zu versteuerndes Einkommen' (taxable income). For married couples, the combined zvE divided by two applies. The last two tax assessments are used for the subsidy. The average value applies.
Is there a holding period for the subsidized vehicle?
Yes. The vehicle must remain registered to the applicant for at least 12 months after registration. In case of early sale or deregistration, the grant must be partially repaid. Transfers to family members may be special cases. Contact the responsible authority.
Can I also get a subsidy for a leased electric car?
Yes, leasing is eligible. The lessee submits the application. The leasing contract replaces the purchase contract as a required document. The term must be at least 24 months. The subsidy is paid directly to the lessee, not to the leasing company.
Is it worth buying now, or will the subsidy get better?
The current subsidy is open-ended for BEV and FCEV. For PHEV it ends on 30 June 2027. Political changes are possible at any time and there is no guarantee. If you want to be safe, buy and submit the application as soon as the vehicle is registered.
How do I create a BundID account?
Go to id.bund.de and select registration. You can register either with your online ID card (NFC-enabled smartphone or card reader required) or with an ELSTER certificate. Setup takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Activate the online ID function of your ID card in advance if not already done.
Is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) eligible for the subsidy?
Yes, under certain conditions. The PHEV must have either a CO2 emission of no more than 60 g/km or an electric range of at least 80 km. Additionally, the purchase contract must be completed by 30 June 2027. The subsidy amount is lower than for BEV and is completely withdrawn for taxable income above 80,000 euros.
Can I use the THG premium in addition to the purchase subsidy?
Yes, the THG premium (greenhouse gas reduction premium) is fully combinable with the purchase subsidy. The THG premium is paid annually for contributing electric driving performance as a CO2 reduction certificate and amounts to approximately 150-400 euros per year for passenger cars, depending on market conditions.
Is there a purchase price limit for the vehicle?
For BEV, there is currently no general purchase price limit for private individuals. However, it must be a series-production vehicle. Individual funding programs of individual federal states may have their own price limits. Check the current conditions of the respective program in advance.
Are used cars or pre-registered vehicles eligible?
No. The national electric vehicle subsidy applies exclusively to new registrations. Vehicles with a prior registration (including dealer registrations or pre-registered vehicles) are generally not eligible, unless the vehicle was registered for less than 6 months and was never privately used. Check individual cases separately.