Starting from January 2026, Belgium will implement an environmental tax for buyers of electric vehicles. This measure aims to fund the collection and recycling of end-of-life batteries. Meanwhile, France is adopting a different approach by integrating these costs within an extended producer responsibility scheme. Discover how these two countries are preparing for the future of electric vehicles while complying with European regulations.
The 3 key points not to miss
- Belgium will introduce an environmental tax on electric vehicles from January 2026 to fund battery recycling.
- In France, the EPR system ensures battery recycling without direct cost to consumers.
- French taxation will apply a stricter weight penalty starting in 2026, impacting electric vehicles.
The tax on electric vehicles in Belgium
From January 1, 2026, buyers of electric vehicles in Belgium will see a new environmental contribution on their bill. This tax will be calculated based on battery capacity and will be used to fund the collection and end-of-life recycling of batteries. Importers will have to pay this contribution to Febelauto, an organization that will centralize the funds intended for the treatment of used batteries.
The amount of this tax will depend on the weight and type of battery. For example, for traction batteries weighing less than 40 kg, the tax will be 5 euros for LFP batteries and 10 euros for NiMH, NMC, and other technologies. Heavier batteries will see their contribution increase, reaching up to 100 euros for batteries weighing between 350 and 1,000 kg.
The French EPR model
Unlike Belgium, France has chosen a different model to manage the recycling of electric vehicle batteries. Instead of passing the costs directly onto consumers, France has implemented the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme. This scheme organizes the collection and recycling of batteries through approved eco-organizations such as ECOSYSTEM, BATRIBOX, and Recycler mon véhicule.
The European regulation 2023/1542, in effect since August 2025, requires producers to ensure battery recycling, either through an approved eco-organization or by a validated individual system. This model ensures efficient recycling and material traceability, allowing the recovery of precious metals like cobalt and lithium for the production of new batteries.
Fiscal impact for French consumers
In France, although battery recycling is not directly charged to consumers, the taxation on electric vehicles is evolving. From January 2026, a stricter weight penalty will be applied. This tax will concern vehicles weighing more than 1,500 kg, at a rate of 10 euros per exceeding kilogram, and will increase to 30 euros for those exceeding 2,000 kg.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles, capable of traveling more than 50 km in electric mode, have been subject to this tax since 2025. Electric vehicles will fall under this framework from July 1, 2026, with a 600 kg allowance to offset the weight of the batteries.
Context: Febelauto and the EPR scheme in Europe
Febelauto, a Belgian organization, plays a central role in managing and funding the recycling of electric vehicle batteries. By collecting funds from importers, Febelauto ensures the redistribution of resources to cover the costs related to the transport, treatment, and safe recycling of used batteries. This proactive approach responds to the growing electric vehicle market in Belgium.
In France, the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme offers an alternative by integrating battery recycling into the production cost, thus avoiding additional fees for consumers. Government-approved eco-organizations ensure efficient and sustainable battery treatment while complying with European recycling and material traceability requirements. This model illustrates the crucial role of regulation in the transition to greener electric mobility.