ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Starting today, electric vehicles imported into the Kurdistan Region will no longer face environmental fees during registration, according to the interior ministry.
A senior ministry official informed Rudaw that this decision aims to boost the adoption of electric vehicles. These vehicles help reduce environmental pollution, making them a valuable choice for eco-conscious citizens.
The order was signed by Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed. Previously, electric vehicle owners had to pay a yearly environmental fee of 10,000 dinars for five years, even though their cars don’t consume gasoline.
Last year, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) took a step to encourage electric vehicle use by exempting all import taxes on these vehicles. While electric cars are becoming popular, their growth is hampered by the limited availability of charging stations, especially in rural areas.
Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, faces significant air quality issues. Major contributors include smoke from power generators, oil refineries, and numerous vehicles that use low-quality fuel. The shift to electric vehicles could play a vital role in improving air quality.
Overall, the elimination of the environmental fee and the tax exemption signals a move towards greener transportation options in the region, which can benefit both the economy and the environment.
Check out this related article: Remembering Vimla Bahuguna: A Legacy of Environmental Activism and Social Reform | Countercurrents
Source linkRudaw is a broadcast and digital news network based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, publishing in English, Kurdish, Arabic, and Turkish.
