125,000. This would now be the number of vehicles that have benefited from the conversion bonus that has come into force since June 1, according to a survey by the CNPA (National Council of the Automobile Professions) conducted in early July. "It is indeed the order of magnitude, confirms the Ministry of Ecological Transition, on a planned stock of 200,000 vehicles. Except that everything is not so simple.
Since the beginning of June, individuals who have purchased a vehicle eligible for the conversion bonus have had the unpleasant surprise of reading the following message on the dedicated site: "Pending developments in the methods of calculating the new regulatory reform, the seizure of vehicles invoiced or ordered from June 1, 2020 is suspended. Please try again later. ” The deputy (LR) of Côtes-d'Armor, Marc Le Fur, was also moved. And on July 7, tabled a written question on the subject, for the attention of the Ministry of Action and Public Accounts.
The new version of the conversion bonus scheme (like that of the ecological bonus) is part of the car recovery plan, presented by the President of the Republic on May 26. For buyers whose tax reference income is less than or equal to 18,000 euros, and who have previously scrapped their old vehicle, the amount of this premium is 5,000 euros for an electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicle. And 3000 euros for a non-rechargeable or low-emission hybrid. But to be applied, the device must be the subject of a decree. Whose publication is still pending. The figures of the CNPA are therefore based on estimates, according to information provided by the dealers.
2 months to be able to apply, then 2 to be reimbursed
"It is a normal procedure, with each change of scales, explains the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The public establishment responsible for paying the premiums (Editor's note: the Service and Payment Agency, or ASP) must update the computer system and this can take a little time, during which the file submissions are not actually possible. The two portals, one dedicated to individuals, the other to dealers, should be accessible again in July. The 17th for the ecological bonus; and on July 31 for the conversion bonus.
"Everything is in suspense," confirmed to us over the phone an adviser from the Claims department of the ASP. The interlocutor recognizes delays, which "will necessarily have an impact on payment times". "Usually, it takes an average of two months between the time the application is accepted and the time when the premium is paid," he explains. There, the owner of a car purchased in early June will wait two months, until July 31, to complete his request. Then another two months minimum before receiving the payment. "
Delays that remind others of them, notably those that occurred in 2018, even if the reasons were then very different. At the time, the fund which fed the ASP had found itself dry, victim of the success of the premium. Result: more than 70,000 individuals and professionals had to wait, sometimes several months, before recovering their money. To the point that some dealers are now refusing to advance the money. "I don't take any more risk," explains the franchisee of a multi-brand brand in Mayenne, installed on the edge of the very busy N12. And too bad if I miss sales. "
"We were at the time on a specific allocation account, framed by very strict rules to replenish it, said the ministry. There, funds come directly from the general state budget. And we have already replenished them by 400 million euros via PLFR 3 (Editor's note: the third version of this year's Finance Bill) . "
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The new decree, which should be published within a few days, will specify the end date of the current device. "The ceiling of 200,000 vehicles could be reached by early September," said the CNPA. Emmanuel Macron had set the target of one million conversion bonuses before the end of his five-year term. He will therefore have a little over a year to sell some 275,000 eligible vehicles.
