The government announced on Monday that it is scrapping the climate car bonus as of November 8.
Rumors had leaked out of the budget negotiations that changes might be required in the bonus system in order to finance cheaper taxes on petrol and diesel.
However, the industry organization for manufacturers and importers of vehicles Mobility Sweden believes that it happened surprisingly quickly.
- It is with the shortest notice since it was instituted.
The governing parties had announced before the election to abolish the malus but keep the bonus, i.e. the opposite of what they are doing now.
We have been clear to the government that long-term climate support is needed.
Now this comes with a day's notice, without them even talking to the industry, says Emmi Antonsson, who is communications manager for the organization.
"There is no joint"
In the press release sent out by the government, it is stated that "the cost of owning and driving a climate bonus car is starting to be comparable to the cost of owning and driving a petrol or diesel car."
Antonsson believes that this is not true.
- For the passenger car market, this is a death blow.
There, prices have already risen significantly due to several different factors such as the war in Ukraine, increased raw material prices, higher material prices.
There is no reason to say that an electric car is just as cheap, says Antonsson.
"Relying on the goodwill of people"
In addition to the fact that fewer consumers will be able to afford to buy an electric car, Antonsson believes that the phase-out will also affect the industry:
- Swedish companies that want to change will not be able to do so now that there are no incentives to buy passenger cars but above all light trucks.
I assume that we will see a development where we do not reach the climate goals in the transport sector.
It is not enough to just build charging stations and rely on people's goodwill.
"A hard punch in the stomach"
The announcement is also met with criticism from the political side:
- I think that this is complete madness that you are doing.
They say that you should stick to the climate goals, but all you do is tear down every ounce of functioning climate policy, says the Green Party's spokesperson Per Bolund, who is supported by the Center Party:
- Making electric cars tens of thousands of kroner more expensive is a hard punch in the gut to anyone who wants to be part of the transition.
To also increase costs in the middle of the ongoing climate summit is really burying your head in the sand, says Rickard Nordin, climate and energy policy spokesperson for the Center Party.
Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) has informed SVT Nyheter via her press secretary that she does not want to comment on Monday's announcement.