For years we had to watch as cars were cheaper in Germany than here. But with the arrival of EVs, prices are creeping closer together. Except at the German Dacia dealers, where the Spring is still considerably cheaper. In this case, can you import the affordable electric car and also receive the Dutch subsidy via the SEPP scheme?
The brand is offering a whopping 10,000 euro discount on the Dacia Spring until March 31. This means you can order an electric Spring in Germany for just under 12,750 euros. Normally, as a Dutch person you can whistle for German subsidies, but in this case it concerns a discount from Dacia itself. It would be even more fun if you also received a 2,950 euro subsidy from the Dutch state…
Can the Netherlands shop at Dacia Germany?
We applied for a Dacia Spring with a 10,000 euro discount. After we left our details, we received an email with a code with which we can redeem the discount at a German dealer. We have asked Dacia in Germany whether we as Dutch people can really buy such a Spring, but we have not yet received a response.
Do you get SEPP with an imported car?
A spokesperson for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) explains to TopGear what the rules are. 'The applicant may import a new car himself. However, one must conclude an agreement and be careful when registering with the RDW that the three dates are the same,' says the spokesperson. These three dates are the date of first admission, date of ascription and date of first registration.
The first admission is the date on which the car was first put into use. The registration date is the day the car is registered in the owner's name. Finally, there is the date of first registration. This is the day that the car gets its Dutch license plate. If these dates are on the same day, you win. For the SEPP, the new price must be between 12,000 and 45,000 euros.
We also present the example of the German Spring to a spokesperson for the RVO. He says: 'If the Dacia is purchased new in Germany and the license plate is registered with the RDW with three identical dates, a SEPP subsidy can be applied for in the new category, i.e. 2,950 euros.' With SEPP, an imported electric car suddenly becomes very attractive.
The government pays your taxes…
Then you have to pay 21 percent VAT in the Netherlands, which is just under 2,700 euros. You give that to the state, but then you get 2,950 euros SEPP back. So the government actually pays your taxes. Apparently they can make it more fun.
Well, there will be some small costs, because you still have to physically bring the car to the Netherlands. Perhaps you have a friend with a trailer, that makes a difference. But then again, all in all, the imported Spring will not easily become more expensive than 21,750 euros (18,800 euros with subsidy), the minimum price you pay here for the electric Dacia.
Also SEPP for an imported second-hand car
For second-hand items, a variable is added to the conditions. If you want to bring an EV from abroad, you must do this through an RDW-approved company to qualify for a subsidy. You can have an RDW-approved car company do the mediation. “The buyer of the car may be eligible for the SEPP subsidy and may then be required to submit the import brokerage agreement,” says the spokesperson.
For used EVs, the original new price may not be less than 12,000 euros and not more than 45,000 euros. If you manage to get an RDW-approved dealer to pick up a used EV abroad, you can receive a subsidy of 2,000 euros, which is as much as you would get for a Dutch second-hand EV.
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