Ecobonus 2019 on cars and motorbikes: guide in 5 points

Not just ecotax. From March 2019, XNUMX comes another novelty (this time positive) for anyone who wants to buy a car in Italy. It's about the eco-bonus on low-polluting vehicles, which, like the ecotax, will remain in force until 31 December 2021. The objective of the measure is "to reduce environmental pollution - reads the MEF files on the latest budget law – encouraging the purchase of vehicles with low CO2 emissions and the scrapping of the more polluting ones”.

Let's try to better understand how it works.

1) ON WHICH CARS IS THE ECOBONUS GRANTED?

The Treasury document explains that the eco-bonus is granted for the registration of new and low-emission vehicles, provided they belong to the M1 category, i.e. they are built for the transport of people and have up to eight seats in addition to the driver's seat. In theory, therefore, minibuses and camper vans should also be covered.

To be eligible for the eco-bonus, however, the vehicle must not emit more than 70 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. This is a very low value, which in fact restricts the perimeter of the incentive to two types of vehicles: electric cars and so-called plug-ins, i.e. more ecological hybrids, those with batteries that are charged via connection to the electricity grid .

There is also a price limit: the car must not cost more than 50 euros excluding VAT, or 61 euros if value added tax is also considered.

2) HOW MUCH IS THE ECOBONUS?

The amount of the eco-bonus depends on two factors: the number of grams of carbon dioxide emitted per kilometer (CO2 g/km, i.e. how much the car pollutes) and whether or not there is a vehicle to be scrapped, provided it belongs to the same category of the one purchased (M1) and is approved in one of the Euro 1, 2, 3 or 4 classes.

Let's move on to values.

With scrapping, the ecobonus is valid

• 6 thousand euros for cars with CO2 g/km between 0 and 20;
• 2.500 euros for cars with CO2 g/km between 21 and 70.

Without scrapping, however, the eco-bonus is less generous:

• 4 thousand euros for cars with CO2 g/km between 0 and 20;
• 1.500 euros for cars with CO2 g/km between 21 and 70.

3) ON WHICH CAR MODELS IS THE ECOBONUS GRANTED?

According to the examples cited by Il Sole 24 Ore, the 1.500 euro eco-bonus (or 2.500 with scrapping) will be granted on the following models:

• Toyota Prius Plug-in (worth 41.800 euros):
• Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 Tfsi e-tron S tronic (39.850 euros);
• Kia Niro 1.6 Gdi DCT Phev (36.700 euros);
• Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 Hybrid Plug-in DCt Comfort (35 thousand euros).

The cars that will benefit from the 4 thousand euro incentive (6 thousand with scrapping) include:

• Smart Fortwo Eq Youngster (24.200 euros);
• Nissan Leaf Enel Edition (36.700 euros);
• Volkswagen E-up! 82 hp (27 thousand euros);
• BMW i3s 120 Ah (44.370 euros);
• Citroën E-Mehari Soft Top (27.300 euros);
• Renault Zoe Life R90 Flex (26.100 euros).

But be careful: all these examples take into consideration the models in basic configuration, because emissions can also vary significantly if accessories such as roof bars or special tires are installed on the car.

4) IS THE ECOBONUS ALSO VALID FOR MOTORCYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES?

Yes, but on a few models and only for 2019. In the case of two-wheelers, the expected contribution is equal to 30% of the list price, up to a maximum of 3 euros. However, the vehicle must meet two requirements:

• have electric or hybrid power supply;
• do not exceed 11 kilowatts of power.

Furthermore, at the time of purchase, a vehicle of the same category and environmental class between Euro 0 and Euro 2 must be delivered for scrapping.

5) DOES THE LAW PROVIDE LIMITS ON EXPENDITURE FOR THE STATE?

Yes. A fund has been set up with an endowment of 60 million euros for 2019 and 70 million for each of the years 2020 and 2021. Once these limits are exceeded, the State will no longer be able to pay the eco-bonus.