HK FRT - what comes after 1-4-2014?
The FRT exemption was extended five years in 2009 (which means last chance is March 31st, 2014 as it stands).
Where to go from here?
HK will want FRT on EVs as well, eventually, but how? It is not just about imports - it is also about responsibility. Your ICE generates pollution, burns fossils and is an expense in many other ways, to society. Hopefully, in not too long time, EVs will compete with ICEs in a way where no incentives will be necessary. Until then, we need "FRT Exemptions" and other tools, to help the EVs on it's way into society. After all, it is a benefit to all people in HK, when the air gets cleaner.
The next 5 years forward could be one of the following options:
1) Gradual FRT exemption reduction
Calculation of the normal FRT, then applying the following factor
2014: 0% FRT
2015: 10% FRT
2016: 20% FRT
2017: 30% FRT
2018: 40% FRT
2019: 50% FRT
2020-: 100% FRT
i.e. if calculated FRT to be paid is 1,000,000 HKD, it would for an EV imported in 2017 be only 300,000 HKD (30% of 1,000,000 HKD)
This puts an incentive into buying an EV earlier, rather than later, as each year, the FRT increases.
2) Pollution-based FRT
A revised set of FRT calculation rules are brought into effect, whereas the consumption of diesel, petrol or gas is classified into categories A to G, A being the leanest. This would not consider the price or the weight of the car - only one thing: How much does it consume/pollute for each km? This class can be used both on FRT, as well as annual costs of having a car registered in HK. In many countries, rules like these are already in force, and if sufficiently steep, reducing pollution tremendously.
- A huge Rolls-Royce would cost a lot in taxes (as it does already), a lot at the pump and a lot in yearly fees.
- An EV would cost few taxes, be cheap to recharge and cost a nominal fee every year.
Burning fossils goes beyond the price you pay to buy it - the pollution is breathed not only by yourself, but everyone around you, and the CO2 released is into our common atmosphere.
The FRT exemption was extended five years in 2009 (which means last chance is March 31st, 2014 as it stands).
Where to go from here?
HK will want FRT on EVs as well, eventually, but how? It is not just about imports - it is also about responsibility. Your ICE generates pollution, burns fossils and is an expense in many other ways, to society. Hopefully, in not too long time, EVs will compete with ICEs in a way where no incentives will be necessary. Until then, we need "FRT Exemptions" and other tools, to help the EVs on it's way into society. After all, it is a benefit to all people in HK, when the air gets cleaner.
The next 5 years forward could be one of the following options:
1) Gradual FRT exemption reduction
Calculation of the normal FRT, then applying the following factor
2014: 0% FRT
2015: 10% FRT
2016: 20% FRT
2017: 30% FRT
2018: 40% FRT
2019: 50% FRT
2020-: 100% FRT
i.e. if calculated FRT to be paid is 1,000,000 HKD, it would for an EV imported in 2017 be only 300,000 HKD (30% of 1,000,000 HKD)
This puts an incentive into buying an EV earlier, rather than later, as each year, the FRT increases.
2) Pollution-based FRT
A revised set of FRT calculation rules are brought into effect, whereas the consumption of diesel, petrol or gas is classified into categories A to G, A being the leanest. This would not consider the price or the weight of the car - only one thing: How much does it consume/pollute for each km? This class can be used both on FRT, as well as annual costs of having a car registered in HK. In many countries, rules like these are already in force, and if sufficiently steep, reducing pollution tremendously.
- A huge Rolls-Royce would cost a lot in taxes (as it does already), a lot at the pump and a lot in yearly fees.
- An EV would cost few taxes, be cheap to recharge and cost a nominal fee every year.
Burning fossils goes beyond the price you pay to buy it - the pollution is breathed not only by yourself, but everyone around you, and the CO2 released is into our common atmosphere.