Maria da Graça Carvalho, Minister of Environment and Energy
The support, which has a maximum value of 4,000 euros and applies to new electric vehicles up to 38,500 euros, will have retroactive effect to January 2025.
The Government will once again support the purchase of electric cars through the Environmental Fund, with an unprecedented new feature: individuals who have purchased an electric vehicle in 2025 will be able to apply for the incentive this yeareven if the purchase was made before the official opening of the program.
The guarantee was given by the Minister of the Environment, Graça Carvalho, in an interview with TSF and . According to the governor, the new application period should open until June 11th and will start with a initial allocation of 10 million euroshalf of the 20 million initially forecast for 2026.
“It is for vehicles that may have been purchased from January 1, 2025. Therefore, someone who was unable to compete in the others, but who purchased and disposed of them during 2025, can compete now”, explained the minister.
The budget reduction is justified by the Government with the need for prudence in the financial management of the Environmental Fundwhich currently also supports extraordinary measures related to increased fuel prices and other social and economic support.
Despite the budget reduction, the program rules remain practically unchanged compared to the previous year. Private individuals may receive up to 4000 euros when purchasing a new 100% electric vehicle, as long as they deliver a gasoline or diesel car over 10 years old for scrapping.
The incentive will also continue to be subject to a maximum price limit: only new electric vehicles up to 38,500 euros.
The main difference is in the retroactive extension of the eligible period. Traditionally, the program only covered vehicles purchased in the year of application. This time, however, the Government decided to allow applications relating to purchases made throughout 2025 to be evaluated, giving a new opportunity to those who were previously left out.
Last year, several candidates who met the criteria ended up not receiving support due to rapid exhaustion of available funds. Applications to the Environmental Fund are analyzed in order of entry, which favors those who submit the request early.
The minister also indicated that the executive intends to avoid profound legislative changes to speed up the process of reopening the program. Therefore, we chose keep the same rules already approved previously, avoiding a new resolution from the Council of Ministers and additional procedures.
