Successful electric car incentives 2025: a guide to taking advantage of them

It’s been a long wait, but the new 2025 incentive programme for electric cars is now finally operational. Since 22 October, individuals and microenterprises have been able to apply for non-repayable grants for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. The measure, published in the Official Gazette in September, is funded with resources from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). This eagerly anticipated measure has been a long time coming, and seeks to promote sustainable mobility and reduce polluting emissions from the vehicles in circulation. Although the funds available ran out within hours of the opening of applications, there are still opportunities to take advantage of the incentives. Let’s take a look.

Electric car bonus: applications closed, but some funding may still be released

The funds for the 2025 electric car incentives have officially been used up, just hours after applications opened. This was confirmed by the Ministry of the Environment and Sogei. According to reports, the entire budget available ran out in just over 24 hours.
In total, 55,680 vouchers were generated by private citizens and microenterprises. However, the fact that all these vouchers have been reserved does not necessarily mean that the funds have been used up in full: the vouchers will now have to be converted into purchase contracts and, as the Ministry clarifies, any resources that become available again will be immediately reactivated on the platform.

Unused Vouchers

From 22 October, the day the first bonuses were booked, beneficiaries have 30 days to use their voucher, by linking it to a purchase contract.
If the vouchers are not validated at a dealership by 21 November, they will automatically expire, and the pertinent amounts – €9,000 or €11,000 for individuals, based on their ISEE indicator – will be returned to the fund, thus becoming available for new applications.
In addition, those who have reserved a voucher have the option to cancel it before the 30-day deadline, should they decide not to proceed with the purchase.
This means that those who failed to access the incentives during the first round may have a second chance, provided they stay up to date and frequently check the Ministry’s website for any reopening of applications due to unused vouchers or cancelled applications.

Which vehicles can be purchased with the incentives?

Individuals can use the bonus for the purchase of new cars in the M1 category, with a minimum of 4 wheels and up to 8 seats in addition to the driver, fully electric, i.e. powered by rechargeable batteries, and with a maximum price of €35,000, excluding VAT and optional extras, according to the manufacturer’s official price list.
Microenterprises will be able to use the discount for the purchase of a maximum of two new category N1 commercial vehicles for goods transport with a maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes or category N2 from 3.5 to 12 tonnes, also with an exclusively electric power supply. The incentives cannot be combined with other contributions for the purchase of the same vehicles.
The maximum contribution for private individuals can be up to €11,000 for the purchase of a fully electric car, while for micro-enterprises renewing their commercial vehicle fleet the figure can be up to €20,000. This important measure is part of a broader strategy of decarbonisation and stimulation of the green economy.
Since the first days after applications opened, the volume of requests was very high.

How to use the incentives

Who can apply

The decree establishes that the contributions can be accessed by individuals with an ISEE indicator of up to €40,000, and microenterprises, i.e. companies with fewer than ten employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet not exceeding €2 million, with registered office or place of business in functional urban areas (cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants and their commuting areas).
For private individuals, the amount of the contribution varies according to the applicant’s ISEE indicator:

• up to €11,000 for those with an ISEE indicator not exceeding €30,000;
• up to €9,000 for those with an ISEE indicator of between €30,000 and €40,000.

Micro-enterprises can obtain up to €20,000 for the purchase of new-generation electric commercial vehicles, in compliance with the requirements and limits set by European regulations on State aid.

The rules on scrapping

In order to access the contribution with scrapping, a fuel-powered vehicle up to Euro 5, registered in the applicant’s name, or in the name of a cohabiting family member, for at least six months, must be scrapped. The purpose of this condition serves to avoid abuses of the system, such as the purchase of used vehicles with the sole purpose of obtaining the bonus. The vehicle must be scrapped at the same time as the purchase of the new electric vehicle.
In addition, the contribution may be granted to only one person per household, thus ensuring a fairer distribution of funds.

Access and operational procedure

To benefit from the incentive for the purchase of an electric car, it is necessary to log on to the official portal www.bonusveicolielettrici.mase.gov.it.
To facilitate the process, the Ministry has published video tutorials and step-by-step guides, differentiated by category of beneficiary. Microenterprises can also consult the National Register of State Aid to check the residual funds in the de minimis regime.
The documentation required includes:

• copy of identity document and tax code;
• valid ISEE declaration;
• quote or invoice of the electric vehicle;
• registration certificate of the vehicle to be scrapped (if applicable).

Once the procedure has been completed and approved, it will be possible to generate the voucher, which will contain an identifying QR code and a barcode.
The voucher can be downloaded as a PDF, printed and presented at a participating dealership. It must be presented to the dealer at the time of purchase, as the bonus is applied as an immediate discount on the price and cannot be used in any other way (e.g. as a down payment).
If the vendor does not validate the bonus, the applicant may issue a new voucher, within the deadline and until funds have run out.

Impact of environmental policies

These incentives are part of a broader green transition strategy, in synergy with the NRRP investments in public and private charging infrastructure.
The expected effects are numerous: reduction of emissions, improvement of air quality, renewal of the vehicle fleet and an economic boost for the automotive sector, particularly in the production of batteries and high-efficiency components.
The measure also has a strong social value, as it reserves resources for those with an ISEE indicator of less than €40,000, concentrating aid in the lower-middle income brackets. This approach contributes to reducing inequalities and improving the quality of urban life.

Market expansion and prospects

The market for electric cars in Italy is growing steadily, and the 2025 incentives aim to make them even more affordable.
The main challenge, however, remains charging infrastructure: the lack of a widespread, reliable network risks slowing the spread of electric vehicles. The resources of the NRRP, combined with a simplification of bureaucracy, should ensure a successful transition also from an operational point of view.
An important role is played by IPlanet, which, with its fast-charging stations in service areas, enables efficient charging in just minutes, and which is continuing to expand its network. Tools such as a dedicated App make charging simple and intuitive.
2025 could therefore be a breakthrough year for electric mobility. If funds become available again and infrastructure grows, zero-emission cars will become the most logical and convenient choice for many Italians.