What is the current national subsidy for purchasing a car?
2 Answers
Here is relevant information about car purchase subsidies in China: 1. No subsidies for fuel vehicles: With China's vehicle ownership exceeding 20 million today, conventional fuel vehicles generally no longer qualify for government subsidies in principle, as the current major trend is developing new energy vehicles. Many countries have already announced phase-out schedules for fuel vehicles, and China is expected to gradually eliminate fuel vehicles within the next 20 years. 2. Reduction in new energy vehicle subsidies: In 2021, the subsidy standards for new energy vehicles decreased by 20% compared to 2020. Pure electric passenger vehicles with a range below 300 km receive no subsidy, while those with a range between 300-400 km (including 300 km) see reduced subsidies. Similarly, pure electric passenger vehicles with a range of 400 km or more (including 400 km) also experience subsidy reductions. To encourage the development of the new "battery swap" business model and accelerate the promotion of new energy vehicles, vehicles adopting the "battery swap mode" are exempt from these regulations.
Last year I bought a new electric vehicle, and the national subsidy really helped a lot. The subsidy amount at that time depended on the model's range and battery energy density. My pure electric sedan received a subsidy of around 13,000 yuan. The application process was handled right at the dealership—just needed to provide a copy of my ID card and the purchase invoice. This subsidy knocked nearly 20% off the total price, which felt like a great deal and also encouraged people to choose more eco-friendly cars. Nowadays, policies might have minor adjustments—for example, subsidies for pure EVs generally range from several thousand to around 10,000 yuan, while plug-in hybrids get slightly lower subsidies. I’d recommend checking the latest catalog on the MIIT website before buying a car, as the model must be certified as new energy to qualify; otherwise, it’s a wasted effort. When applying, try to prepare the documents in advance to avoid delays in subsidy approval. Don’t just focus on the price when choosing a car—factor in the subsidies to pick a more cost-effective model, and you’ll feel more at ease on long trips.
