Monday, 03 MAY 2010 - CATEGORY : MARKET NEWS
A working document from the European Commission sheds light on the difficulties of introducing a carbon tax at the borders of the European Union.
The introduction of a European CO2 tax is generating plenty of column inches. Some say it would help protect Europe’s economy, while others insist that countries with less strict environmental policies would gain a commercial advantage if Brussels was to adopt more stringent rules on emissions.
"The administrative costs of the collection of this tax are exorbitant, as the system requires a host of different rates that vary according to the products and countries concerned ", the Commission states. "There is also a risk of the plan triggering a commercial war. Rival economic powers, such as China, will not hesitate to take retaliatory steps."
The introduction of a European CO2 tax is generating plenty of column inches. Some say it would help protect Europe’s economy, while others insist that countries with less strict environmental policies would gain a commercial advantage if Brussels was to adopt more stringent rules on emissions.
"The administrative costs of the collection of this tax are exorbitant, as the system requires a host of different rates that vary according to the products and countries concerned ", the Commission states. "There is also a risk of the plan triggering a commercial war. Rival economic powers, such as China, will not hesitate to take retaliatory steps."
TAGS : europe, carbon_tax
Monday, 03 MAY 2010 - CATEGORY : MARKET NEWS
The Swiss federal court has confirmed it: the increase in the mileage tax for freight traffic is not against the law and will therefore be implemented.In 2009, the federal court indicated the illegality of the rise in the performance-related heavy vehicle fee (HVF)decided on in 2008.
In a reversal of its previous stance, Switzerland’s supreme legal authority has now paved the way for a higher toll on foreign lorries. This rise will also be applicable to Swiss vehicles, but as they pay the HVF on account, they will not be affected by the increase until later.
The estimated 70 to 75 million Swiss francs (around 50 million euros) to be generated by this rise will go towards infrastructure projects.
TAGS : mileage_tax, Switzerland
Wednesday, 07 APRIL 2010 - CATEGORY : MARKET NEWS
The mileage tax will not become a reality any time soon in the Netherlands, as the CDA, the party of the (resigning) prime minister, Camiel Eurlings, no longer supports the proposal.“There is a risk of the tax causing doubts in the minds of motorists about the compulsory installation of data loggers”, said a CDA spokesperson.
The increase in the tax on motorised vehicles and the reduction in purchase tax seem to be far from unanimously accepted.
TAGS : mileage_tax,, Netherlands,
Wednesday, 07 APRIL 2010 - CATEGORY : MARKET NEWS
The carbon tax is being scrapped at national level, the French Prime Minister, François Fillon, has announced.This announcement has pleased the transport operators’ associations, including the FNTR (Fédération Nationale des Transports Routiers). “We have always maintained that the carbon tax made no sense unless applied Europe-wide”, commented Nicolas Paulissen, the assistant chief executive of the FNTR. “The argument used for the scrapping of this tax is the same one we used to argue against it.” The argument concerned is Europe. “This levy should be applied at European level so as not to stifle the competitiveness of French companies”, was how the head of the French government put it.
By way of a reminder, the carbon tax was set to come into force on 1 July 2010. The plan was that road, waterway and maritime transportation would all be subject to the tax, but that they would benefit from tax exemption to the tune of 35%.
