Scrap boat engine: ecobonus until June 10

The boating ecobonus, designed to incentivize the replacement of old combustion engines with more modern and sustainable electric powertrains, still seems to be sailing too slow. The course is set, but red tape and some operational uncertainty continue to hold back its march.

To provide clarity and support those who have already applied, or intend to apply, Confindustria Nautica organized a video conference with Invitalia, the entity in charge of handling applications, on May 28.

A clear desire emerged from the discussion: to simplify the process and accompany applicants at every stage of the process.

Applications submitted so far have been lower than expected, Invitalia explained, which is why the deadline for submission has been extended from the previous May 8 to June 10. But beware: the extension will not slow down the processing time of files already received. In fact, the first lists of eligible applications will be sent to the relevant ministries in the first weeks of June, as planned.

Mistakes or forgetfulness? No problem

Good news also for those who have made mistakes or forgetfulness: thanks to the so-called “administrative relief,” it will be possible to review incomplete files and supplement missing documentation. This will make it possible, for example, to add one of the often-absent attachments, the Declaration of Construction or Importation (DCI), issued by Confindustria Nautica, a document that is often overlooked, especially in applications involving small vessels.

Among the interesting data that emerged from the meeting was that to date it has been mostly private citizens who have applied for the ecobonus, with a ratio of 10 to 1 compared to businesses. This is a signal that may suggest the need for more targeted communication to the productive and professional world of the nautical sector.

Further extensions, however, are out of the question, at least for now. So June 10 remains the new, final deadline. Those who want to take advantage of the incentive still have a few days to set sail: the course is plotted, all they need to do is get out to sea.

Ecobonus in a nutshell

• It is a fund intended to finance the scrapping of endothermic engines and their replacement with electric motors and, if necessary,the purchase of battery packs for their use and installation.
• Only one application may be submitted, which may be for the purchase of up to 2 electric motors if the applicant is an individual, and multiple motors if the applicant is an enterprise that owns recreational craft used for commercial, sporting or social purposes.
• The subsidy for each outboard electric motor with an integrated battery power of not less than 0.5 Kw and up to 12 Kw is 2,000 euros, and for outboard motors with an external battery, inboard, inboard-outboard or propulsion POD is 10,000 euros.
• It is granted on a non-repayable basis and covers up to 50 percent of eligible expenses with a ceiling of 8,000 euros in the case of an application coming from an individual and up to 50,000 euros in the case of a company.

At this link the instructions from Confindustria Nautica to access the incentives

Fabrizio Coccia