As of tomorrow, consumers in Flanders can no longer get a government rebate for buying electric vehicles, but at least the price for basic models is falling under €20,000.
Auto dealers in Flanders have until tonight to offer consumers a €3,000 rebate on used electric vehicles (EVs) and €5,000 on new EVs. Starting tomorrow, sales will not include this rebate from the government, which launched on 1 January this year.
Flemish mobility minister Lydia Peeters had originally announced that the region would offer rebates on the purchase of EVs until the end of 2026, with the amount of the rebate dropping ever year. It soon became clear that the government budget could not support the number of requested rebates, so the entire programme was scrapped.
Sometimes salon conditions are even better deals that the rebates were
Koen Claesen of Van Mossel
By the end of September, more than 96,000 new EVs had been registered, compared to a total of 93,000 in the whole of 2023. Some dealers report selling four times as many EVs this year compared to last year.
But consumers shouldn’t be too disappointed if they haven’t yet bought their new car, according to Koen Claesen of dealer and garage Van Mossel. Dealers are about to announce “salon condition” in the run up to the Brussels Motor Show in January, he says. “Sometimes these are even better deals that the rebates were.”
Along those lines, the price of EVs are coming down. Where the least expensive electric cars used to cost at least €25,000, now some new models can be picked up for €17,000 or €18,000.