ANWB and BOVAG want extension of excise duty rebate to avoid expensive fuel
ANWB insists that the temporary excise duty reduction on fuels, introduced in 2022 to alleviate high prices, will remain in force next year. If the scheme is not renewed, the current discounts will expire and excise duties will be raised back to their original levels, leading to sharply more expensive petrol. BOVAG also fears that without measures, motoring will become unaffordable and calls on the government to come up with a long-term plan to keep motoring affordable.
“The excise duty rebate was introduced to compensate for rising fuel prices. That discount is still necessary and justified,” said an ANWB spokeswoman. “We see more and more that the affordability of driving is under pressure. Very many people in rural areas, among others, really need their car. It is not a luxury to have a car, but a necessity,” she continued. For those people, affordability is “essential”.
She stresses that the Netherlands leads Europe in terms of excise duty. “We are also the only country that indexes, i.e. keeps raising excise taxes.” According to her, a CO2 tax will soon make car fuel even more expensive. “We support the transition to electric driving, but the reality is that at the moment the vast majority of people still drive a fuel car,” the spokeswoman concludes.
Future-proof plan
BOVAG also warns that motoring is in danger of becoming unaffordable. “Not only after the disappearance of this excise duty rebate, as there is more coming our way in the future,” says a spokesperson for the car industry organisation. “BOVAG is therefore calling on the cabinet to come up with a future-proof, multi-year plan, so that everyone who depends on the car knows where they stand and mobility remains affordable for everyone. It is now up to the cabinet to take that step.”
(Source: ANP)
Also read:
- Petrol price hits record due to expensive dollar and political unrest
- Motorists filled up less petrol and substantially less diesel in 2024 than previous year
