The government intends to make changes to the car tax: it could be paid annually

Trade was not significantly affected

As of July 1. A registration fee applies for the registration of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (categories M1 and N1). It is calculated based on the type of fuel and its combinations and when CO2 emissions exceed 130 g / km.

Even before the introduction of this tax, there were all kinds of languages. The experts considered that the tax may not reflect the main objective: to reduce pollution.

In total, from July to December last year, almost 130 thousand. cars. Of these, just over 21,105,000. you had to pay the fee. In most cases, as stated, people paid between 40 and 90 Eur at the time of registration.

It is true that, although car sales had been cut in half during the first quarantine, the numbers rose dramatically before the new tax was introduced.

“It just came to our notice then. Probably about 60 percent happened that month. More car deals than the same time last year. We don’t even remember that month, because residents rushed in (registered-edited) without knowing and fearful of this tax, to sell cars before it appeared, “commented Artūras Mizeras, director of the Autoplius.lt portal.

However, car sales did not slow down after the tax was expected, as expected.

“That tax, let’s say, the sales had no effect, just that there was an additional tax and so on. Just as they bought cars, they also buy, ”said Vaidas Sarapinas, BRC Lietuva sales manager, and Vismantas Baršys, director of the Used Vehicle Dealers Association, also supported him.

“After the tax, you know, there was no well. Not many Lithuanians understood that tax. Bought as bought. That summer was much better than all of our vendors expected, “said V. Baršys.

The head of the Kaunas car market also said that he realized that after the introduction of the tax, interest in cleaner cars had increased.

„<..> It is an interesting moment that the Toyota Prius, which is probably also related to ecology, has been bought very well in the summer, ”said Valentinas Naujanis.

Consider changing the rate

However, in part, according to some experts, the car pollution tax that has emerged since July makes it difficult to renew the car fleet in Lithuania.

“The fee format, as it is now, hinders the market because the fee is paid at check-in and is an additional barrier.

In part, yes, people are somewhat interested in new cars, but the natural renewal process has taken place, which took place gradually, ”said A. Mizeras, head of the Autoplius.lt portal.

However, about $ 13 million of this tax has already been collected in the state budget. Eur, and the peasants who introduced the tax are satisfied with it.

“I really think that barrier changes people’s mindsets and choices when buying a new car. Of course, it is also necessary to mention the scooters. Also in Lithuania, the number of polluting cars decreased roughly as much as are driven in Radviliškis. And those people bought environmentally friendly and non-polluting vehicles, “said former Environment Minister Kęstutis Mažeika.

However, the current Minister of the Environment promises to replace this tax with another. According to him, the fee should not be paid when registering the car, but when using it every year.

“At the end of the year, an STI invoice will be sent to pay for the private land, which is also the data in the car registry, clear rates, annual subscription fee for cars based on their pollution parameters,” said the minister of Environment, Simonas Gentvilas.

The government intends to introduce a tax on new cars starting this year.