June 1 : Stakeholders have criticized the government for coming up with the provision of “exorbitant tax rates” on electric vehicles in the recently presented budget for the fiscal year 2020/021.
Issuing a joint statement yesterday, Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NFEEJ), Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) and Electric Vehicle Association of Nepal (EVAN) made such a criticism.
According to the recent budget, customs duty on the import of electric vehicles is 40 percent, excise duty 40 to 80 per cent, value added tax 13 per cent and toll tax 5 percent.
“The government is trying to discourage eco-friendly vehicles and encourage the environmentally harmful mineral fuels by imposing higher taxes on the eco-friendly vehicles, these organisations charge adding,” This goes against the spirit of the 15th five-year plan of National Planning Commission, Energy Ministry’s White Paper and other vital national documents related to the promotion of clean energy.”
They further urge the government to lower the tax rates on electrical vehicles arguing that it will not only go a long way in promoting clean energy but also in curtailing the heavy imports of petroleum products in the country.
The statement is signed by NEFEJ Chairperson Kosmos Bishwokarma, CEN Chairperson Bhushan Tuladhar and EVAN Chairperson Umesh Raj Shrestha.
