In the course of the economic stimulus package, the federal government drafted a law. The vehicle tax is expected to increase depending on CO2 emissions.
- The Federal Cabinet passed a draft law as part of the economic stimulus package .
- The vehicle tax is to be increased depending on the CO2 emissions of the vehicles.
- Greens and environmental groups are not enough.
Berlin - The Federal Cabinet passed a bill on Friday (June 12) to increase vehicle tax on vehicles with high CO2 emissions . The draft goes back to Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) and is intended to apply to cars that will be newly registered from 2021.
The reform stipulates that cars that emit more than 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer should pay a surcharge of two euros for each additional gram . The surcharge should then gradually increase to up to four euros per additional gram of CO2 for vehicles with particularly high CO2 emissions . For cars with less than 95 grams of CO2 emissions, there should be an annual tax bonus of 30 euros for a maximum of five years.
Brake for gas guzzlers? Motor vehicle tax is expected to increase for cars with high CO2 emissions
The ecological reform of the vehicle tax had already been agreed last September as part of the climate package of the government of the Union and the SPD. Since then, however, it has made no progress due to differences in design. The project has now been taken up again in connection with the government's stimulus package .
Scholz said in Berlin that the reform would result in a slightly higher income from vehicle tax in the coming years, but would decrease again over the next ten years. If the goal is achieved that more low-emission vehicles will be on the road in the future , "the state will have significant loss of revenue". From his point of view, this would nevertheless be "a wonderful thing".
And another good news: #Kabinett decides to reform the #KfzSteuer - a clear sign for #sustainable and climate-friendly road traffic. Among other things, greater weighting of the # CO2 emissions, tax exemption # electric vehicles. https://t.co/JmH8CRwNZg
- BMF (@BMF_Bund) June 12, 2020Cabinet decisions say that owners of new electric cars will be completely exempt from vehicle tax until the end of 2025 . This exemption is to apply until the end of 2030 at the latest . In addition, the price limit for the tax discount for company cars was raised from 40,000 euros to 60,000 euros list price. The government also wants to significantly increase the purchase premium for new electric cars . However, this was not yet on the agenda in the cabinet.
Motor vehicle tax reform: “wonderful” or just a symbolic form?
However , environmental associations and Greens do not find the draft law as "wonderful" as Finance Minister Scholz . "Driving cars with high fuel consumption has to become even more expensive if the federal government is serious about climate protection," said BUND transport expert Jens Hilgenberg . He called for a "greater spread of vehicle tax between efficient vehicles and gas guzzlers". In addition, the vehicle tax must be completely aligned to CO2 emissions.
"This form is primarily symbolic, not climate policy," said Green Party leader Anton Hofreiter . Instead, he called for "an effective bonus-malus system" for new cars. ADAC Transport President Gerhard Hillebrand considers it a "good signal" that the federal government has introduced a tax bonus for non-electric vehicles with a lot in the vehicle tax bill low CO2 emissions.
Video: Federal government wants to increase premium for electric cars
lb / afp
