The Slovenian Ministry of Finance recently submitted a new proposal for the introduction of a new type of vehicle tax, which unlike the currently existing one, will not focus entirely on a vehicle’s selling price. Instead, the Ministry’s proposal is entirely driven by environmental concerns. The government believes that the introduction of this new tax will help citizens make a green transition, as it would drive consumers to choose less-polluting alternatives, like natural gas or hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The draft law includes stipulations that more polluting vehicles will be taxed at a higher rate. As stated by the Ministry of Finance: “Diesel-powered vehicles will be taxed more than gasoline-powered vehicles, as they are so far, because they are less environmentally friendly, mainly due to higher emissions of NOx solids. Vehicles with higher engine power and higher CO2 emissions and lower Euro emissions will be taxed more than those with lower engine power and lower CO2 emissions and higher Euro emissions.”
According to the Ministry’s own analysis, by promoting the use of alternative modes of transport and alternative vehicles, the country would become cleaner and healthier. The steady phasing out of diesel-powered vehicles and their replacement with ones running on natural gas, hydrogen or electricity will lead to the improvement not only of air quality but also of the quality of life in Slovenian cities.
Moreover, a reduction in pollution recently became a must in Slovenia, following a formal warning issued by the European Commission regarding the country’s PM10 levels. In Ljubljana for example, local authorities have been hard at work seeking solutions to its air pollution problems, reported TheMayor.eu.
