Press Release: Guidelines on financial incentives: Promoting energy efficient vehicles

On 28 February 2013, the European Commission published new guidelines on how Member States should use financial incentives to best increase demand for low CO2 emission vehicles.

Currently, rules on financial incentives differ across the EU, but a common framework could help facilitate the assembly of larger quantities of such vehicles, prompting lower prices for consumers. Incentives can be useful instruments to foster the low CO2 producing vehicle industry, but they can also create trade distortions.

To address this issue, mandatory principles under the guidelines include non-discrimination with regard to the origin of the vehicle, the respect of EU state aid and procurement rules, and building on best practices in this domain. Member States must consider these principles in order not to violate the EU Treaty provisions, while other principles are recommended.

European Commission: DG Enterprise and Industry: Automotive Financial incentives http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/environment/financial/index_en.htm

European Commission: MEMO/13/151: Electric race car Volar-e shows powerful capabilities http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-151_en.htm

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