In 2007, Norway changed the car taxes in order to have a more environmentally friendly car fleet. Petrol and diesel cars with low emissions were to become cheaper, while cars with high emissions had higher costs. In addition, several electric car benefits were introduced, such as VAT exemptions and exemptions from road tolls. 15 years later, there have been more electric cars on Norwegian roads, but the number of diesel and petrol cars has also increased, says investment director Robert Næss at Nordea. – The cars have become bigger. They have become wider and longer. They are 500 kilograms heavier. We have bought the most expensive cars in the world. Then it is perhaps not right that the cars should avoid VAT, when there is VAT on electricity, nappies and everything else. I think the fees must go up. Næss also points to the fact that Norway has an older car fleet because you can get a deduction from the fees if the cars are ten or twenty years old. This has led to a sharp increase in imports of large, heavy and older cars with high emissions. Næss, who is himself the main owner of a company that imports new electric cars, believes that the solution is to increase taxes on cars, regardless of fuel. Investment director Robert Næss in Nordea Photo: Nordea – It is not a goal to have the most possible taxes, but to have a fair distribution. Today, it is those with good finances who avoid car taxes. But it is not certain that this is the optimal way to distribute the income. Næss also wrote about this in a column in Dagens Næringsliv last week. He sees that the tax policy has had an effect, but thinks it has gone too far. – We have spent a couple of hundred billion kroner on getting a more environmentally friendly car fleet, and then we still have to buy the fattest cars in the world. Then we may have gone a little too far, he says. I think the policy has worked Parliamentary representative Geir Pollestad (Sp) met Næss for a debate in Dagsnytt atten måndag. He believes that Næss does not hit particularly well when he criticizes the tax policy that has been carried out for the past 15 years. – I think the policy that has been pursued since 2007 has been successful. The emissions for each car have become clearly lower. In addition, we have had an increase in the number of electric cars by providing many electric car advantages. Storting representative Geir Pollestad (Sp). Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB In 2017, the Storting adopted a goal that all new cars sold in 2025 must be emission-free. The advantages of electric cars are important in order to reach this goal. At the same time, Pollestad also sees that at one point or another, electric cars and diesel and petrol cars must be treated equally. Therefore, a slow phase-in has started, he says. – We have no goal of increasing expenses. but we also see that VAT exemption accounts for the decline. That is why we have introduced cars that cost more than NOK 500,000. And then I think there will be a gradual phase-in, so that we gradually treat electric cars the same as cars that run on petrol and diesel. Warns against moving forward quickly The Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association also believes that the tax policy of the last 15 years has been a great success. Last year, eight out of ten new cars sold in Norway were electric cars. But general secretary Christina Bu fears that it may be difficult to reach the goal of 100 per cent emission-free new cars in 2025 after the introduction of VAT, more taxes and increased toll rates. Secretary General Christina Bu of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association. Photo: Pål Hansen / news – It is perhaps too early to say anything, but two months into 2023 the sale of electric cars has not increased compared to last year. It is now less than two years until we reach the target of 100 per cent in the new car dealership. Then we must have at least 90 per cent in 2023 for that target to be within reach. She therefore asks the politicians to have ice in their stomachs in order to reach the climate target. – This is a goal that has had the consumers with it. We represent over 120,000 electric car owners. People are involved and want to do their part of the job. Then the politicians must also follow up.
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Nordea’s investment director wants higher electric car taxes – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
