On Friday at 09:00, the state budget for 2024 was presented by Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp). The budget contains several points that apply to electric cars: The traffic insurance fee is reduced for fossil cars, but not for electric cars. The government proposes to reduce the rate for traffic insurance tax for fossil-fuel cars from NOK 8.38 per day to NOK 7.60 per day. For electric cars, it goes up to NOK 8.70 per day. The full-year cost of the tax discount for fossil-fuel cars is NOK 1.45 billion. The government proposes that the higher rate for depreciation of electric vans of 30 per cent not be continued. From 2024, the rate will follow the general rate for vans, which is 24 per cent. The government proposes to abolish the VAT exemption for sales and leasing of hydrogen-based electric cars. The exemption, which has been approved by EFTA’s monitoring body (ESA) until 2023, has little effect on the turnover of zero-emission cars. For plug-in hybrid cars, there is a deduction of up to 10 per cent in the weight from which the one-off fee is calculated. The government proposes to remove this weight deduction. The government proposes to reduce the road use tax on petrol by NOK 0.26 per liter and the road use tax on diesel by NOK 0.32 per litre. – It is surprising that the government proposes to reduce the traffic insurance fee for fossil-fueled cars, but not for electric cars. It is therefore a condition to get tax relief that your car pollutes, says Unni Berge, head of communications and public relations at the Electric Vehicle Association. In order to get people to switch to electric cars, an environmental discount was also given in the traffic insurance tax for a long time. But now the government wants electric cars to have the same tax level as fossil cars. – The government is turning everything upside down, and it is incomprehensible, says Berge. Clear targets Last year, the Electric Vehicle Association called the state budget “the worst electric car budget of all time”. The government then introduced, among other things, increased toll rates and VAT for electric cars on the part of the purchase price that is over NOK 500,000. In addition, they cut the fuel tax. The government has set clear targets for a low level of greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years, and electric vehicles play an important role: New passenger cars and light vans must be zero-emission vehicles (electric cars and hydrogen vehicles) from 2025. New city buses must be zero-emission vehicles or use biogas in 2025. By 2030, new heavier vans, 75 per cent of new long-distance buses and 50 per cent of new trucks must be zero-emission vehicles. By 2030, the distribution of goods in the largest city centers must be close to zero emissions. Else Johannessen has had an electric car since 2016, and is on electric car number two. She is concerned with what is presented in the national budget. – I am afraid that it will become less favorable. I think that you have to think sustainably and choose the right car based on that, she says. Else Johannessen is happy with her electric car, but notices that it is less favorable than before to drive the car. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news She is well aware that changes have already taken place. – It has already become less favorable than before. Electricity prices have increased, and some taxes have also increased. Nevertheless, I think that I am very satisfied because sustainability and environmental considerations are important to me. – What do you think will happen if it is not so beneficial to have or buy an electric car? – I think we risk that fewer people choose it. Now that we have had price and interest rate increases, you also have to think about the economy. It has to go around for people. I think some government support is needed for Andreas Skretting to use an electric van at work. He charges the car at the charging station at the Kvadrat shopping center in Sandnes. – It works very well, quickly out and quickly back. I hardly need to charge during the working day. Andreas Skretting drives an electric van to work. He believes it is the right way to go for companies. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news He says it means a lot for the workplace to use an electric car. – It has a lot to do with reputation. After all, we must also be part of the green shift. I think everyone appreciates it. – What if it becomes less favorable? – Personally, I believe that most companies cannot afford to buy large fleets of fossil-fueled cars. Everyone must be involved, but a little support from the state is probably the way to go.
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Removes several benefits for electric cars – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
