The new automobile penalty will be more severe in 2024

Even more in 2024 than in 2023, the automobile penalty will discourage candidates from purchasing the heaviest thermal cars that emit the most C02. According to the scale set as part of the budget planned for 2024, the penalty will be triggered upon the purchase of a 1.6 tonne vehicle instead of 1.8 tonnes in 2023.

The Peugeot 5008, which weighs a maximum of 1.55 tonnes, will escape this, for example. Just like Renault's new Espace in its 5-seater version (1.58 tonnes). Then, the amount of the weight penalty will gradually increase. Between 1,600 and 1,800 kilos each kilo will be charged 10 euros. From 1,800 kilos, the price will increase to 15 euros per kilo and to 20 euros per kilo from 1,900 kilos. The two tonnes will mean a move to 25 euros per kilo, before a limit of 30 euros per kilo from 2,100 kilos.

The scale is a little different for plug-in hybrids since the weight of the battery can be partly subtracted from the weight of the vehicle. Furthermore, large families benefit from a reduction of 200 kilos per child from three children.

Also read: Converting your thermal car to electric, is it really a good option?

In addition, the level of CO2 emissions from new vehicles will be taxed more in 2024. The threshold for triggering the penalty – 50 euros – increases from 123 to 118 grams of CO2 per kilometer. This concerns many of the vehicles most popular with customers today. The Peugeot 208 with a floor price of 19,200 euros emits 120 g/km, which is equivalent to a penalty of 100 euros, just like the Dacia Sandero, priced at 11,990 euros. The scale continues to climb: it rises to more than 1000 euros for 141 g/km, more than 4000 euros at 159g/km… The ceiling of the ecological penalty, until now set at 50,000 euros for more than 226g/km, is raised to 60,000 euros. It will concern vehicles which emit 194 g/km whereas in its 2023 version, this level of CO2 was taxed at “only” 17,490 euros.

This summer, the government announced that it hoped for an additional 500 million euros in state coffers thanks to this tax. Furthermore, support for the purchase of “clean” vehicles cost the State nearly a billion euros in 2022.