An ecological penalty on used cars is being prepared

© Dacia

Faced with the urgency of reducing the public deficit, the government is exploring new avenues to generate additional revenue. Among the proposals that are emerging, one of them could shake up the used car market in France.

< p> A retroactive ecological penalty would thus hit second-hand vehicles, potentially setting a precedent in the history of French automobile taxation.

A measure with still unclear contours

The text of Article 9 of the 2025 Finance Bill remains particularly cryptic on the terms of application of this new tax. It simply mentions the implementation of a system aimed at subjecting used vehicles that were not taxed when they were first registered to the penalty. This wording leaves room for multiple interpretations and raises many practical questions.

Currently, only imported used vehicles are affected by an ecological penalty, calculated according to a decreasing scale. The new measure could considerably extend the scope of this tax. Industry experts ask: Could a vehicle purchased new without a penalty be subject to a tax when it is resold in 2026 if the emission criteria have changed in the meantime?? This prospect worries both professionals and individuals.

Major implications for the automobile market

The introduction of a retroactive penalty on used vehicles could profoundly change the dynamics of the French automobile market. The most polluting vehicles, already penalized by the rise in fuel prices, would see their resale value potentially impacted. This situation could create a domino effect on the entire used market.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

© Hilbert Hill © Unsplash

Industry professionals are particularly concerned about consequences for low-income households, the main buyers of used vehicles. In a context where purchasing power is already under pressure, the addition of a new tax could make access to mobility even more difficult for certain categories of the population.

A device that raises practical questions

The practical implementation of this measure raises many technical questions. Some experts suggest that the system could only concern vehicles that have benefited from specific exemptions, such as those intended for large families or people with disabilities. These vehicles, when resold to individuals who do not benefit from the same advantages, could then be subject to the penalty.

The calculation of the amount of the tax also remains a major question mark. Will it be based on the scales in force at the time of resale ? Will it take into account the age of the vehicle ? These crucial questions remain unanswered in the current text, leaving doubts hanging over the technical feasibility of the system.

The decision will now have to be made by the deputies, who will have to debate this proposal in a particularly tense political context. The timing of this announcement, combined with the multiple crises facing the automotive sector, could compromise the adoption of this controversial measure.

• The government is considering introducing an ecological penalty on used cars from 2026
• The measure could concern vehicles that were not subject to the penalty when they were first registered
• The precise terms of application and calculation remain to be defined, creating uncertainty on the used car market

📍 To not miss any news from Presse-citron, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

[ ]