With these changes, The Hague will stimulate greening on the road in 2023 | Travelling

Excise duty discounts on extended fuels, phased out from 1 July. The compensatory discount on the excise duty on fuels will be maintained. After June 30, this discount will be halved. Now that pump prices are falling again, the question is how far we feel it in our wallets.

“The temporary discount is no longer really needed due to lower prices,” says Paul van Selms of UnitedConsumers. “We are advocating a structural reduction. This will bring greater harmony with fuel prices in other parts of Europe.”

Increase in the tax-free mileage allowance. The tax-free mileage allowance for employees will increase to 21 cents. Since 2006 this is 19 cents.

“We have been arguing for an increase in the tax-free travel allowance for years and we are moderately pleased that there has finally been some movement,” says President Martin Huisman of Vereniging Zakelijke Rijder (VZR). “This is too late and the amount is not enough.”

Inflation is on the rise, so living expenses are becoming more and more expensive. Also, a car costs more than 21 cents per kilometer at variable costs. According to the VZR calculation, the correct amount in 2022 is 39 cents, a reasonable amount for a tax-free mileage allowance. Of those 39 cents, only 21 cents will be tax free next year.

“Obviously an employer can grant a higher mileage allowance and that’s right. Unfortunately, we also know that for many employers the tax-free dues are also the norm to pay to employees,” adds Huisman.

“So employees often put money into it when they drive to work. This is harsh. Also, I don’t think it drives the greening of the vehicle fleet. That would require more new cars, preferably electric ones. Find your way.”

“However, the increase in tax-free mileage allowance is so small that it has no effect on car buying behavior. For example, for an average self-employed person, the purchase price of an electric vehicle is still very high. A small increase in mileage allowance does not involve any shocking changes. ”.

The subsidy box for the private purchase of an electric car has been filled up again and with more money. To get private individuals excited about an electric car, the government is once again giving a purchase subsidy. A discount of 2,950 euros is available for nearly 23,000 new electric cars.

For a used electric car that costs 2,000 euros. The grant is sufficient for 16,200 cars. The subsidy can be requested from 10 January on RVO.nl. In 2022, the grant fund was empty after six months. By increasing the grant budget and reducing the amount of the new car grant, more individuals can benefit.

“In the corporate market, tax breaks and subsidy schemes certainly made sense to make the fleet greener,” says director André Renses of the automotive company Renses E-mobility. “It is therefore also a missed opportunity that this is phased out so quickly.”

“In the private market, I think the PR value of the subsidy scheme is more important than the actual amount. It stimulates people to consider an electric car. We can then tell our full and logical story. Then they will automatically see that the i advantages of an electric car outweigh the assumed disadvantages “.