Tesla's luxury models will be the hardest hit by the tax phase-in. Photo: Kim Haugaard/Scanpix The government has defended its move to gradually phase out tax breaks on electric cars as a way to make things fairer for car owners, but the maker of Denmark's most popular electric model has slammed the plan as anti-competitive and a death knell for the industry. A political agreement reached on Friday afternoon will see tax breaks on electric cars phased out over the next five years. As a result, the costs of some popular electric models will skyrocket. The hardest hit will be the luxury model Tesla S P85D, which will more than double in price from 875,000 kroner today to 1,807,100 kroner in 2020. The Venstre government defended the move by saying that the Tax Ministry misses out on 650 million kroner per year by not applying Denmark’s 180 percent car registration tax to environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. The Social Democrats, Danish People’s … [Read more...] about Tesla to fight Denmark’s new tax on electric cars
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Electric bikes take off in Austria
Electric bikes continue to see growth in Austria, despite complaints from a right-wing politician that a new cycle path extension will cost more than 1,000 euros per metre. The bikes have grown in popularity in Austria since their introduction in 2008, with more than 150,000 now in service. The socialist SPÖ and Green parties see electric bikes as an important part of a coherent public transport and emissions reduction strategy, offering alternatives to those who aren't keen on regular pedal power. But right-wing politicians from Austria's Freedom Party complain that investing in the necessary infrastructure for new cycle paths is a waste of money. FPÖ transport spokesman Toni Mahdalik criticized a decision by the "red-green" (socialist/green) coalition in Wednesday's city council planning meeting. "The SPÖ and Greens want to burn a whopping 306,000 euros to add an unnecessary 300 metres to an existing cycle path. In addition, this will destroy 13 … [Read more...] about Electric bikes take off in Austria
Confusion reigns in Basel over electric bikes
Officials in Basel were forced to clarify an announced ban on high-speed electric bikes in the city centre starting next year. Under a plan delayed by lawsuits, an expanded area of the city’s downtown is becoming a pedestrian zone off limits to cars and motorbikes as of January 1st 2014. Bernhard Fray Jaeggi, head of traffic police in Basel, announced this week that electric bikes with yellow licence plates would not be allowed on cycling routes through the city centre. “Such vehicles reach speeds of up to 60 kilometres an hour,” Jaeggi is quoted as saying by the Tages Anzeiger newspaper. “They are considered to be motor vehicles and not light motor bikes.” The decision came as a surprise to the head of Basel city’s government, Guy Morin, a member of the Green party who rides to work on an electric bike with a yellow licence plate. But on Tuesday, Andreas Knuchel, a spokesman for the police department said the announced policy on … [Read more...] about Confusion reigns in Basel over electric bikes
In a mostly lawless industry, electric scooter company CEO suggests the industry police itself
Bird, a company that rents electric scooters via a mobile app, has proposed a voluntary code of conduct to regulate the emerging bikeshare industry.Thousands of scooters, bikes, and electric bikes have hit San Diego’s streets in the last month, creating a sensation over the new way to get around, but frustrations remain over how they are blocking sidewalks.One of Bird’s competitors, Ofo, says that the voluntary code is a way to avoid regulations.Nearly a month after thousands of bikes and scooters rented through a mobile app hit San Diego’s streets and sidewalks, one company has proposed a voluntary agreement to get the emerging industry to police itself.Bird, a company that lets riders rent motorized scooters, unveiled Save Our Sidewalks, or S.O.S last week and challenged its competitors to sign on. The three-part covenant is an attempt to make the emerging but largely unregulated industry a better neighbor.“We started this pledge based on our belief that we … [Read more...] about In a mostly lawless industry, electric scooter company CEO suggests the industry police itself
Taxi tax break for electric vehicles hailed a victory by Ilford North MP
Video PUBLISHED: 09:00 07 March 2018 Ellena Cruse Black cab driver, Evan Walters of Sackville Gardens, Ilford driving Ilford North MP Wes streeting Archant Black cab drivers who purchase new, electric taxis after April will save £1,550. Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, fought for cabbies to be exempt from a luxury tax which sees motor owners pay a Vehicle Excise Duty charge on cars worth more than £40,000. The Treasury brought forward the tax break by a year - to help black cab drivers make the switch from old diesel engines to zero-emission taxis- after considering views from campaigners. If just one driver makes the change, it would rid the country of seven tonnes of carbon dioxide a year and with over 75,000 black cabs operating in England, the impact on the environment would be significant. “This is a victory for campaigners for common sense and I welcome the announcement that the supplement for luxury cars will no longer apply to the new electric capable … [Read more...] about Taxi tax break for electric vehicles hailed a victory by Ilford North MP