Assistance for electric vehicles rises in 2022
Individual assistance for purchasing electric cars now stands at 4 thousand euros. Assistance is also given to help buy chargers for use in apartment complexes.
Anyone wishing to purchase a 100% electric car during 2022 may be given a 4 thousand euro incentive by the State — which is one thousand euros more than in 2021. This help is only granted for new vehicles, and does not include used cars. A new vehicle is understood to be one which has been purchased and registered for the first time to the applicant after 1st January 2022.
It must also be stated that there is a limited number of vehicles financed — 1300 light passenger vehicles for private use. 1140 applications were submitted in 2021, of which only 849 were accepted. One reason for rejecting an application may be related to price, which must not exceed 62,500 euros — including VAT and all associated costs. Note the application deadline: requests for funding must be submitted by 30th November 2022, using the form provided on the Environment Fund website.
As in previous years, each applicant can only request funding for one vehicle in each category, although this government incentive also extends to light goods vehicles. In this case, companies may apply for two subsidies, amounting to 6,000 euros per vehicle. It must be pointed out that only 150 grants are available, totalling 900,000 euros — compared with the 5,2 million euros earmarked for light passenger vehicles. Successful candidates will receive payment via bank transfer to the beneficiary account, identified in the application, as soon as all the required conditions have been met — by 31st December 2022.
Assistance extends to chargers… and to two-wheelers
One of this year’s new developments is assistance for installing chargers at apartment complexes: 270 grants amounting to 500 thousand euros. The grant covers 80% of the charger purchase price up to a maximum of 800 euros, corresponding to one charger per parking space — 80% of the electrical installation cost may be added to this. Nevertheless, there are some conditions in place which have made the measure somewhat controversial, namely the fact that the incentive is only granted if the chargers are connected to the Mobi.E public network. According to DECO (Portuguese Consumer Protection Association), “the offer could be more ambitious in terms of its economic advantages to consumers, and nobody should be forced to hook up to the Mobi.E network in order to benefit”. They crunched the numbers and calculated that charging at home during off-peak times – a lower cost period for “time of use” electricity tariffs — may be even cheaper than charging from the public network.
However, incentives aren’t just given for four-wheeled vehicles and their components. Having been granted by the Environment Fund since 2017, these incentives aim to ensure the continued implementation of measures to speed up the appropriation of alternative and more environmentally friendly traction power, and are therefore extended to mopeds, electric motorcycles and even bicycles — be they electric bicycles or non-motorised pedal bikes. In such cases, the incentive is 50% of the vehicle purchase cost, up to a maximum of 500 euros.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
— This incentive applies exclusively to unregistered new vehicles, in the M1 and N1 Category as per the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) classification, duly approved.
— Light vehicles, whose total cost including VAT is over 62,500 euros, cannot apply for this incentive. Vehicles subject to an import legalisation process, as well as those with registrations prior to 1st January 2022, are also excluded.
— Beneficiaries of this incentive will be obliged to ensure the vehicles are financed for a minimum of 24 months, and cannot export them. This period commences on the vehicle purchase date, or on the date on which the charger is connected up to the Mobi.E network.
— Incentives are limited by the maximum value of funds allocated to the programme. In 2022, the funds allocated amount to 5,2 million euros, shared among the various different types of vehicle. More money was set aside for ebikes this year, with the amount rising to 2,275,000 euros in 2022.
— Requests are arranged in order of the submission date and time. If an application is submitted after the limited number has been exceeded, it will be placed on a waiting list. If the funds allocated to a different type of electric vehicle are not all exhausted during the course of the year, it is possible that the requested subsidy will be granted.
How to formalise your application.
Applications for an incentive can only be submitted online, via the application section on the Environment Fund website. The beneficiary is notified via e-mail to confirm submission of the incentive application, stating the date and time.
Documents
— Identification (Citizen’s Card or Identity Card number and Taxpayer Identification No.)
— In the event that the applicant is a corporate body, a copy of the Company Registration Certificate or code to access the permanent certificate, and identification (Citizen’s Card or Identity Card number and Taxpayer Identification No.) of the company’s representatives.
— Certificate demonstrating the beneficiary is not in debt to the Tax and Customs Authority or authorisation to consult the tax status (obtained via Portal das Finanças [website of the Ministry of Finance] quoting the Environment Fund’s Taxpayer Identification No., 600086992).
— Certificate demonstrating the beneficiary is not in debt to the Social Security or authorisation to consult the contribution status (obtained via Segurança Social Direta [Social Security website] quoting the Environment Fund’s Taxpayer Identification No., 600086992, and Social Security Identification No., 2600 086 9927).
— Purchase invoice dated after 1st January 2022, in the name of the beneficiary, stating the chassis number (if applicable), with proof of registration to the beneficiary, via the Vehicle Registration Certificate or other document.
— In the event of the vehicle being acquired via a lease, a copy of the contract must be provided instead of an invoice, stating that it is a lease lasting at least 24 months and dated after 1st January 2022, in the name of the beneficiary and identifying the vehicle via the chassis and/or registration number. Proof must also be provided that the applicant is already in possession of the vehicle, via a delivery note or equivalent document.
— In the case of conventional or cargo ebikes, the applicant must submit a declaration from the salesperson, either on the invoice or an annexed document, stating that the vehicle is new and is intended for city/urban use or cargo.
Electric vehicle charging point
— Invoice for the purchase of the charger and corresponding receipt, dated after 1st January 2022, made out to the applicant.
— Invoice for installation, issued by a certified technician, and the corresponding receipt, dated after 1st January 2022, made out to the applicant, stating the installation site (CPE) and the chief technician’s certificate number.
— Proof of charger connection to the Mobi.E network
Applications should be made on the Environment Fund website.
