[REPORT]
ANESDOR opposes discriminatory registration tax for PTWs in Spain
ANESDOR calls on the Spanish Government to withdraw the proposed amendment introducing taxation for CO2 emissions from motorcycles
ANESDOR, the Spanish Two-wheeler Industry Association, deems the new CO2 registration tax for PTWs inappropriate. Estimating that the entry into force of the proposed amendment will cause a drop in registrations of over 15% this year and to accumulate a setback close to 25%, ANESDOR also maintains that the government's proposal is contrary to air quality and atmospheric protection laws, and discriminatory toward people who choose PTWs as a mode of transport.
In a press statement ANESDOR took position against the intention of the government to pass a bill setting more stringent registration taxes for PTWs compared to other vehicles. The new Government's proposal creates a special levy for motorcycles with a higher tax based on their emissions of CO2, compared to other modes of transport, raising registration taxes from 4.5% and up to 14.75%, the latter figure for motorcycles of 74 KW or more.
ANESDOR believes that the adoption of this law in a time of economic downturn makes little economic sense. Motorcycle registrations dropped 25% so far this year. The entry into force of the new standard would mean an additional drop of 15 points, leading the fall market in 2009 to figures close to 40%.
These forecasts are already pushing Spanish motorcycle manufacturers to revise their 2009 production downwards, causing job losses. The negative effects of this change in taxation not only affects manufacturing plants but also distribution networks and sub-contracting industries and SMEs that make up a sector of 25,000 people, over which the crisis is already starting to hit hard.
This legislation will lead, in many cases, to the freezing or cutting of investment and development in Spain.
Over 80% of motorcycles sold in Spain produce less than 120 grams of CO2 per km, a figure regarded as the threshold for the more environmentally friendly vehicles. Current air quality legislation exempts motor vehicles credited with low CO2 emissions. The new rules proposed by the Government set an unjustified and exceptionally low 80 grams of CO2 limit for PTWs.
Motorcycles emit less CO2, they weigh less and consume less fuel, therefore, are more energy efficient in their journeys. Discrimination of PTW through the introduction of some specific boundaries lower than those of other vehicles deprives society of the advantages that two-wheeled vehicles can bring in terms of savings and reduction of CO2 emissions.
ANESDOR argues that increasing the tax on the purchase of new motorcycles will actually have a negative effect on reducing CO2 emissions, lengthening the time for renewal of the park, slowing the entry into service of new models with ever more energy profiles efficient.
The European Commission acknowledges in the Green Paper 'Towards a new culture for urban mobility' that the motorcycle is one of the tools to achieve more free-flowing and greener cities. The market confirms that Powered Two-Wheelers have affirmed themselves in Europe as a mobility option chosen by the people.
In Spain, several cities have recognized that PTWs improve urban mobility. Madrid has developed dedicated policies in support of PTW mobility. In the Spanish Capital, between 2004 and 2008 the fleet of cars has increased by 3%, compared to 35.7% growth experienced by motorcycles or 12.4% of mopeds.
The entry into force of the new rule will mean, according ANESDOR a slowdown in the integration process of PTWs in urban transport and a clear discrimination for people who use PTWs as a conscious choice of effective and sustainable transport.
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