Finland plans €6,000 subsidy for low-income buyers of electric cars

Finland is preparing a scrappage bonus of up to €6,000 to help low-income households buy or lease an electric car, according to a national plan under the EU Social Climate Fund now open for consultation by the Ministry of the Environment.

The subsidy, payable for scrapping a petrol or diesel car at least ten years old, can cover up to 70 percent of the purchase price of a new or used electric vehicle. Applicants must have an annual income of no more than €25,000–26,000. The scheme, which would also allow leasing for two to three years, requires parliamentary approval before applications can open in early 2028.

Industry representatives doubt many low-income earners own a qualifying car to scrap. They also warn that cheaper used electric cars often have small batteries, creating range anxiety. Tero Kallio of the Autotuojat trade association estimates most purchases under the scheme will fall in the €16,000–17,000 range, where a 5–7-year-old model with 40,000–50,000 km typically offers 150–250 km of range per charge.

Traffic agency Traficom expects about 4,000 used electric cars priced under €13,000 to be available this year, rising fivefold by 2032. Buyers are advised to request a state-of-health battery test, costing €100–200, to verify remaining capacity before purchase.