An electric car charging station at ATCL, Kaslik (Kesrouan). (Credit: JRB)
The Association of Automobile Importers in Lebanon (AIA) has welcomed, in a press release, the continued existence of tax benefits for imported electric cars in the 2024 budget that have been in place since 2018.
More specifically, these benefits include substantial reductions and exemptions on customs duties and registration fees on imports of electric cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Hybrid vehicles also benefit.
The relevant provision (article 69) of the 2024 budget adopted at the end of January and which has since come into force, totally exempts imports of these various categories of completely electric vehicles from customs duties and excise duties made within five years of the publication of the 2024 budget. It also reduces registration and mechanical costs by 70 percent.
For hybrid vehicles imported since Jan. 1, 2022, customs and excise duties are reduced by 80 percent, compared with 70 percent for registration and mechanical fees.
"This decision is in harmony with the actions taken by developed countries to reduce pollution levels and preserve the environment while reducing the bill linked to fossil fuels," the association wrote in particular. It also called on buyers to systematically check that electric vehicles purchased come with a manufacturer's warranty.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.