ANWB, BOVAG, Natuur & Milieu, RAI Association and VNA (association of car lease companies) today present a fully elaborated, feasible and affordable plan for the reform of car taxes to the informateur and to all political parties. This unique coalition proposes to make car taxes in the Netherlands simple, stable and predictable and to have them contribute to achieving the tightened climate goals for 2030 and the ultimate goal of being climate neutral by 2050. Whereby mobility remains affordable and accessible for every Dutch person. The coalition asks the forming parties to include the plan in its entirety in the formation discussions.
The current car tax system is complex, slows down greening and makes the market erratic. And that makes the car buyer wait-and-see. Moreover, the current system is unsustainable when it comes to government revenues. At the same time, the mobility sector must contribute to achieving the climate goals, which have recently been further tightened with the European Green Deal (55 percent less CO2 emissions in 2030 compared to 1990 emissions).
Pay according to Use
The drafters of the plan propose to replace the current car tax system with Pay to Use (BnG). The coalition has opted for a variant in which the rate per kilometer is based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. According to the drafters, the introduction of this new system should be laid down in a framework law as soon as possible in order to allow a smooth transition for everyone. The introduction of BnG takes at least 8,5 years. As a result, BnG cannot play a role in CO2 reduction towards 2030, but is crucial for the period thereafter. The coalition is therefore also coming up with plans for the period 2022 - 2030. These include:
- Introduce Payment to Use (BnG) as soon as possible with a rate based on emissions; to lay down its introduction in a framework law now;
- Rapid influx of zero-emission vehicles to structurally replace fossil kilometers with zero-emission kilometers;
- Behavioral management: incorporating incentives into the current tax system to make conscious choices in purchasing and travel movements;
- Targeted use of responsible biofuels and synthetic fuels where zero emissions are not yet possible.
More environmental benefits, less costs
Recently, the Van Geest study group presented a study on behalf of the cabinet (“Destination Paris”) with measures to achieve the increased climate goals. The emphasis was mainly on the influx of zero-emission vehicles. The coalition focuses more on the efficient achievement of the CO2 targets and with its package of measures achieves a greater CO2 reduction than Van Geest's proposals, at a quarter less cost, with much less market disruption. In addition, an important contribution is made to the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as there is still a rapid inflow of zero-emission vehicles.
Political support
The plan is supported by five (ex-) politicians from left to right. They have contributed ideas to the process and support the approach and plan in a personal capacity. It is:
- Anne-Marie Jorritsma (VVD, former Minister of Transport and Economic Affairs),
- Menno Snel (D66, former State Secretary for Finance),
- Jolande Sap (GroenLinks, former Finance spokesperson),
- Karien van Gennip (CDA, former State Secretary for Economic Affairs)
- Sharon Dijksma (PvdA, former State Secretary for Economic Affairs, former Spokesperson for Traffic).
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