Electric or petrol: what does driving really cost in Belgium?

Nederlands

Purchase incentive for private buyers: Belgium has no federal purchase incentive for a new electric car, and the regional premiums for private buyers have largely been phased out or ended. In Flanders, the former zero-emissiepremie (zero-emission premium) for private buyers has been discontinued. In Brussels and Wallonia, at most limited or specific schemes exist, often only for companies, the self-employed, or when scrapping an old car. Not every buyer qualifies — so we show this separately and do not count it in the total costs above. Source: Flanders / Brussels / Wallonia, as of 1 July 2026. Check your eligibility and the amount before you buy.

Tax and annual costs: in Belgium there is no recurring annual premium to deduct for an electric car — the advantage of electric sits mainly in the running cost (charging, maintenance). In Flanders, electric cars are exempt from the registration tax (belasting op inverkeerstelling, BIV) and the annual road tax; in Brussels and Wallonia, the normal rates apply (often the lowest fiscal minimum). The tax deductibility of company cars is also being phased out: if you rely on outdated information, those amounts may no longer be right. Running-cost savings are applied directly to the running cost — never as a cash premium. As of 1 July 2026.