From 2025, the subsidy for the purchase of a second-hand electric car will expire in the Netherlands. This is evident from the Spring Memorandum of the outgoing cabinet. Last year it was announced that the subsidy would be extended until 2029. That extension will no longer take place.
In the Spring Memorandum published on Monday, the outgoing cabinet writes that the purchase subsidy for second-hand electric passenger cars , also known as the SEPP, a total of 528 million euros had been reserved for 2025 to 2029. The extension was announced last year, but has now been canceled. Users have until December 27, 2024 to apply for the subsidy. Currently, just over half of the annual budget has been granted.
The subsidy expiring from next year is said to be due to the introduction of the new rate discount for motor vehicle tax for electric cars. EV drivers currently do not have to pay motor vehicle tax. According to the new plans, this will only be necessary from 2026 instead of 2025. In 2026, emission-free passenger cars will receive a 40 percent discount on motor vehicle tax. The government wants to prevent owners of EVs from having to pay more car tax than comparable petrol cars. Motor vehicle tax is based on the weight of the vehicle. EVs are generally heavier because of the battery. The discount percentage decreases every year until the discount eventually disappears completely in 2030.