Electric vehicle owners to pay 5% tax

LAHORE:

Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has submitted a proposal to the provincial government to register electric vehicles at up to 95 per cent concession in the token tax to help curb pollution.

The Motor Registration Authority, which operates under the department, has completed all the preparations for registering all electric vehicles with the discount in token tax.

The department stated in the summary submitted to Punjab government in this regard that the environment-friendly electric vehicles, whether small or large, government or private, should be charged nominal levies upon registration to keep the air clean.

The decision has been taken keeping in view the high level of environmental pollution caused by vehicle fuel in cities across Punjab, especially Lahore.

Problems caused by pollution in various cities of the province have bee on the rise in the past several years. The people are also suffering due to the increasing pollution, especially as a result of skin and lung problems, as well as other diseases caused by pollution.

Officials of the excise and taxation department say they are taking the steps to help curb pollution and provide the citizens a healthy environment.

They pointed out that thousands of vans ran on diesel in Lahore and were up to 20 years old. Due to this a lot of pollution is increasing.

That is why Lahore ranks among world’s most polluted cities. The introduction of electric vehicles will not only help keep the environment clean but also significantly reduce oil imports.

A continuing increase in fuel prices in the world market is currently causing significant financial problems for the country.

Electric vehicles will save the government millions of dollars annually, the officials say.

The concession in taxes will be applicable on all electric vehicles, including commercial transport and motorcycles.

Excise and Taxation Department Director General Rizwan Akram Sherwani told The Express Tribune that the summary had been sent to Punjab government. He expressed hope that the proposal would be approved in a meeting g next week.

The official said his department was taking steps in accordance with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s eco-friendly measures, adding that Punjab would be the first province in the country to give such a great incentive to owners of electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, a campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles has also been launched in the provincial capital.

According to Chief Traffic Police Officer Montazer Mehdi, action has so far been taken against 8,111 vehicles and fines of Rs543,000 imposed during the campaign.

The purpose of imposing fines is to prevent people from using vehicles that increase pollution. The crackdown will continue till next month.

According to the excise and taxation department, more than 7,000 large trucks, trolleys and trailers are used in Lahore to deliver beverages for various local and multinational companies, which use more than 100,000 liters of diesel daily. The smoke emitted from these vehicles is a major cause of air pollution.

The traffic police have banned the use of heavy transport during the day. The trucks carrying large containers and those used for transporting sand and cement keep running on the city roads from 10pm to 7am.

A medical specialist, Dr Khaqan Sajjad, said in reply to a question that injurious smoke emitted by the vehicles caused irritation, eye and respiratory diseases.

People who travel on the roads amid smog are more likely to be affected, he said. He advised the citizens to wear a mask and helmet and avoid travelling during smog.

Motor Registration Authority Director Qamarul Hassan Sajjad said old and unfit vehicles increased the smog.

The fine on such vehicles will be increased to reduce the pollution, the official added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2021.