Could VAT be eliminated from bicycles?

The European Commission is considering reforming reducing or even reducing the VAT on bicycles to boost sustainable transport.

We echo a news published on the web brujulabike, where they comment that the European Commission is considering reforming reducing or even reducing the VAT on bicycles to promote sustainable transport.

The plans that Europe has are very clear,  Increasing sustainable and respectful transport with the environment is a priority. The climatic consequences worsen and moving by bike can contribute a lot, since it is the cleanest transport there is. Therefore, the European Commission is proposing to transfer member countries the possibility of regulating the VAT of conventional bicycles, to reduce it and even eliminate it.

What would this elimination of VAT for bicycles consist of?

At the moment, the member countries they can not apply their own reduced VAT rates to bicycles. But this new regulation, if approved, could lead to this fact. It would consist of assess a cost cap on the bicycle, and from that price down would be transferred tocountries have the power to regulate and legislate to indicate a VAT, which can be reduced, or even nil.

Many member countries already have measures to encourage the purchase of bicycles. This is the case of Sweden, France or Austria, which have plans that prioritize the purchase of bicycles, especially electric.

Not long ago, the Transport Commission of the Parliament of Spain already voted for a motion that requested the introduction of tax incentives for the bicycle sector, which included the purchase of electric bicycles and the reduced VAT for conventional bicycles.

Of course, electric bicycles, at least for now, have been left out of the proposal of the European Union, something that has opened some debate

If the proposal goes ahead, Member States may set their reduced or zero VAT rates. A great news for any cyclist.

Photo: brujulabike

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