In the sales hall of Motor Forum Stavanger, the new cars are crowded. Many of them have also received a new price tag. The top model Hongqi E-HS9 Exclusive, for example, has become NOK 100,000 more expensive after the New Year. Now the price changes clearly show again in the statistics. In January, only 1,901 new passenger cars were registered in Norway. This is a decrease of 95.18 per cent from December 2022. Compared to January last year, there is a decrease of 76.1 per cent, figures from the Swedish Road Administration show. The introduction of weight tax and VAT on electric cars meant that everyone who had the opportunity would register their new car before we entered the new year. Electric cars make up the largest part of new car sales in Norway. Think sales will pick up The general manager at Motor Forum Stavanger, Lars Ola Solstad, still does not think the slowdown in sales of new cars will persist. Lars Ola Solstad is general manager of Motor Forum Stavanger. They have noticed an expected vacuum in car sales and registrations after the New Year. Photo: Erik Waage / news – I think the overall economic picture is the most important thing for Ola Nordmann, that the interest rate stabilizes and the price increase in society in general comes under control. Then I think car sales will probably pick up again, says Solstad. Like many other car dealerships, they have experienced a decline in sales and registration of new cars in January. – It is important that there are the same rules for everyone, so that it becomes a kind of new normal, says Solstad. These are the new tax rules The Storting has decided that the proportion of zero-emission vehicles in new car sales must be 100 per cent by 2025. In the state budget for 2023 the government, among other things: Introduced VAT on purchase amounts over NOK 500,000 for electric cars Introduced a new weight component that will apply to all passenger cars Introduced tightening in the one-off tax for hybrid and fossil-fuel cars, in order to achieve the goal that all new passenger cars must be zero-emission cars by 2025. Cars that cost less than 500,000 will be fully exempt from VAT, initially until 2024. The new weight tax will be calculated at NOK 12.5 per kilo of the car’s net weight over 500 kilograms for all new cars. The new weight tax is in addition to the existing weight tax, which is currently imposed on all new car types except electric cars. Unpredictably, the Norwegian Automobile Industry Association was surprised by the weight tax that was introduced on electric cars. – It reinforces the unpredictability of an industry that already has a lot of unpredictability, says Egil Steinsland, communications manager at the Norwegian Automobile Industry Association. Egil Steinsland, communications manager at the Norwegian Automotive Industry Association, says that the industry is noticing increased unpredictability. Photo: NBF They believe that the fees make more people wait to switch to electric cars. Which reduces the chance of reaching the authorities’ goal that all new cars from 2025 must be zero-emission cars. – Actually, we think the tax should be removed again, but that is probably not an option, so it should at least stay at the level that was introduced now, says Steinsland. Can slow down the transition – We have been critical of the VAT, but it was notified. When the new weight tax was added, we were very surprised, says Ingunn Handagard, press manager at NAF. Ingunn Handagard and NAF believe that the increases in fees must stop. Photo: NAF In order to reach the zero emissions target in 2025, NAF believes that it must be calmed down on the tax front. – Now the government must have some ice in its stomach and wait and see the development before increasing the fees further. It is important not to tighten taxes too much if this target is to be reached in 2025. With more taxes, the transition can slow down, says Handagard. Despite the weight tax and introduction of VAT, there are still several advantages to choosing electric, although there have been fewer. Some of the advantages electric car users still have are: Paying less tolls. Pay less on ferries. Cheaper parking in many places. Can drive in public transport lanes, with some exceptions.
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New car sales slow down in January due to increased taxes – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
