In France, a proposal is on the table to more than double the CO2 fine on cars with high CO2 emissions. The amount would then soon amount to € 50,000 for the cars in the highest category.
The proposal, which has yet to be approved by the French parliament, would make cars in the highest price regions in particular significantly more expensive. At the purchase price of the average Porsche, Ferrari or large Mercedes-SUV, the damage is probably not too bad, but in absolute amounts certainly not.
Bloomberg reports that cars with a CO2 emission of 225 grams or more will already be faced with a ‘malus’ of 40,000 euros next year. In 2022, that amount would increase to 50,000 euros. However, the amount is maximized at half of the ‘bare’ purchase price, so that the whole remains somewhat in proportion.
From 20 to 50
That 50 grand is a big step compared to the current situation. At the moment, the French government charges a maximum CO2 fine of 20,000 euros for a new car. However, that amount already applies to cars with CO2 emissions of 184 grams or more.
Increasing the amounts is therefore not the only step planned for the French Bonus / Malus scheme for new cars. There will be more steps, with the lower limit for CO2 fines dropping further and further. Next year, for example, a (small) amount will already be due for passenger cars that emit 131 grams or more, while the threshold is now at 138 grams of CO2 per kilometer. In contrast to the ‘malus’, there is also a ‘bonus’ in France: buyers of particularly thrifty cars receive an allowance of up to € 6,000.
The Netherlands more expensive
Bloomberg reports that the French plans could lead to the highest CO2-related car taxes in Europe. In that case, however, they have calculated outside the Dutch BPM. The tax on passenger cars and motorcycles, entirely based on CO2 emissions, easily exceeds the 50,000 euro limit. However, just like in France, we have to look for solid motorized SUVs. A car like the BMW X7 M50i (280 grams), for example, already has to deal with € 52,114 BPM. The Mercedes-AMG G63 makes it even more colorful: thanks to 373 grams, the BPM amount here comes to no less than € 90,058. Incidentally, cars in Norway and Denmark, among others, are even more expensive, but the taxes there are not entirely based on CO2 emissions.