MADRID: The regional Government of Catalonia in eastern Spain is set to introduce a carbon tax on vehicle emissions from 2018.
According to local media reports, the law is due to be phased in from 2018, starting with vehicles that emit more than 160g of CO2 per kilometer. Vehicles emitting between 120g and 160g of carbon per kilometer will be taxed from 2020. Owners of automobiles emitting less than 120g of CO2 per km will be exempt from the tax.
The tax will cost motorists up to EUR84 per year depending on the level of their vehicle’s emissions. However, it is thought that the average carbon tax bill will be in the region of EUR5.
The Catalonian Government expects to collect EUR76m per year from the carbon tax, with these revenues to be diverted into a proposed renewable energy fund, which will promote the production and use of clean energy in the region.