State Aid: ESA greenlights support scheme for zero-emission vehicles in Norway
PR(17)41
EN | NO
The EFTA
Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved a new, limited period of state
aid for zero-emission vehicles in Norway through several tax exemptions.
ESA has approved three years of zero
VAT rating for electric cars. Other aid measures notified for zero-emission
vehicles by Norway, have been approved for six years.
”The EEA Agreement enables
Norway to subsidize electric cars to benefit the environment. However, Norway
needs to ensure maximum output”, says ESA President Sven Erik Svedman.
ESA has previously approved Norway´s existing aid scheme until 31
December 2017. The new program will be valid after the turn of the year.
The zero VAT rating
alone amounts to NOK 3.2 billion (approx. EUR 325 million) a year. Simultaneously,
the market for electric cars is experiencing rapid technological advances,
creating both better and cheaper cars. To avoid an overcompensation that
benefits neither the market nor the consumers, ESA asks Norway to evaluate the zero
VAT rating after two years.
ESA has today approved
other state aid measures for electric cars, including an exemption from annual
vehicle tax and registration tax, for six years. Further, zero VAT rating and
other tax exemptions have been approved for six years for hydrogen cars.
On this basis, ESA concludes that the Norwegian aid measures are
compatible with the EEA state aid rules.
For further information, please
contact:
Ms. Anne Vestbakke
Head of Communications
tel. +32 2 286 18 66
mob. +32 490 57 63 53
