As recently as last year, the government eased emissions requirements to receive a climate bonus.
The background was that the EU changed the measurement method for carbon dioxide emissions and many car models turned out to have higher emissions than expected.
Further tightening
But as SVT was able to reveal, the new borders largely benefited Volvo's plug-in hybrids, including large SUVs, despite the fact that these are worse for the climate than smaller plug-in hybrids.
The government took back the change in the 2021 budget, but now there is news of further tightening.
From today's 60 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer to 50 grams next year, and the following year the limit will be 30 grams.
This means that only smaller car models will qualify.
Most electric cars and plug-in hybrids sold in Sweden are company cars, and many employers only allow climate bonus cars in the company car fleet.
- It will be difficult for Volvo to sell any plug-in hybrids at all, says Ronny Svensson.
"Volvo must put on a charcoal when it comes to electric cars"
The government is also setting a price cap for cars that receive climate bonuses.
Anyone who wants a car that costs more than SEK 700,000.
- If you can afford such an expensive car, you do not need the state's help to make a climate-smart choice, says Per Bolund (MP), Minister of Climate.
Thus, large, all-electric cars will also be without a bonus, which affects Tesla and Audi.
Volvo has said that all cars from the factory will not be fully electric until 2030. But already in 2023, seven years earlier, the government requires emission levels that are less than half of several of Volvo's popular plug-in hybrids today.
- Volvo must put on a charcoal when it comes to electric cars, otherwise they are basically gone on the Swedish market, says Ronny Svensson.
But Volvo states in an email to SVT that they welcome the fact that the rules will be laid down several years ahead and that they see no contradiction between the new bonus requirements today and Volvo's own plans.