Believes VAT exemption must also apply for tråsykkel – NRK

– I think it’s a little paradoxical that it wants to remove VAT from elsykler when still want to keep sales tax on ordinary bicycles, says mayor of Søgne, Astrid Hilde.

Many key players, including the Cyclists’ Association, has recently worked for the elsykler to get VAT exemption.

The Mayor in Søgne, Astrid Hilde (Ap). (Archive).

Photo: Thomas Sommerset / NRK

– On tråsykkel uses one common muscle energy, and it has no emissions, unlike electric bicycle that requires some energy.

– If one should choose to subsidize the mode of transport with minimum emissions there tråsykkelen who should lose VAT, says Hilde.

Big sale of elsykler

sales of electric bicycles has exploded in recent years, and this year it is expected that it will be sold approximately 40,000 elsykler in Norway.

Secretary General of the Cyclists’ Association, Morgan Andersson, are among those vying for a VAT exemption on elsykler.

– We believe it is a good initiative that more people will choose to buy electric bicycle, he said.

he believes it has a symbolic value to provide state support for new technology.

– VAT exemption can also help us to reach more new groups. Getting more transport cyclists and to get more seniors to get up on my bike again using electric bicycle, says Andersson.

is proposed to remove the VAT on such electric bicycles. (Archive).

Photo: Bjørn Ruud / NRK

From car to electric bicycle

He understands Søgne-mayor paradox of removing VAT on electric bicycle, but not on tråsykkel.

Due to the large sale of ordinary bicycles believes Andersson it is unrealistic to get an exemption from VAT on these.

– electric bicycle is a new technology that needs a boost. And it is a measure to get more across from car to bicycle, says Andersson.

If a proposed sales tax exemption on tråsykkel come on the political agenda, the Cyclists’ Association support the proposal. So far hope the electric bicycle can be to replace the car.

There are Søgne mayor skeptical about going. She says there are no research results that show that people choose electric bicycle of car.

– But it is a public health aspect with both electric bicycle and bike properly. We must encourage more bikes, and then there is a paradox that one chooses to prioritize elsyklene over conventional bikes, says Hilde.