Malta’s automotive industry wants the government to improve incentives for hybrid and electric cars and set up a permanent scrappage scheme.
The industry calls form part of the Association of Car Importers Malta’s drive to encourage consumers to prioritise their safety and the environment by choosing to buy new cars.
ACIM president Joseph Gasan said that the industry association also wanted the government to lower registration taxes and better regulate foreign-registered vehicles.
The 2016 Budget had introduced a series of incentives to buy electric cars, with a €7,000 grant for those scrapping a car over 10 years and a €4,000 grant for those buying an electric car without scrapping their old vehicle. Hybrid and electric vehicles were also made exempt from Valletta's CVA.
Speaking at a business breakfast held at Villa Arrigo this morning, Mr Gasan said the ACIM had to be more proactive in encouraging people to invest in new cars. The industry also had to do more to sell the benefits of using authorised repair centres, he said.
New cars, which all met Euro 6 standards, also meant fewer emissions, Mr Gasan said. “I am proud to report that ACIM members have contributed in no small way to reduce Malta’s carbon footprint, by importing vehicles which are low on emissions and also fuel efficient.”
Malta has 349,386 registered cars on its roads, with just 452 of them being hybrid vehicles and a meagre 263 electrical cars.
Statistics released yesterday revealed how for the first time, local drivers were picking new cars over second-hand ones, with 51 per cent of new licenses being issued for new cars.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi also spoke at the business breakfast. He shared his views on the government’s commitment to enhance the sustainability of the industry as well as introduce initiatives which are aimed at improving traffic management. New investments in road surfaces, road design and intelligent traffic management systems would further contribute to road safety, the minister said.
The ACIM was set up in 1960 and is made up of 13 long standing family owned businesses which bring together the importers of new passenger cars and commercial vehicles.