An amendment to the Vehicle License Tax Act that extends a tax exemption for electric vehicles (EVs) another four years until Dec. 31, 2025 passed through the Legislative Yuan Tuesday.

Based on the revised Act, local governments will exempt electric vehicles from vehicle license tax until the end of December 2025, an extension from Dec. 31 this year, in accordance with Article 5 of the Act, which was implemented in 2012.

The Executive Yuan approved the amendment on Nov. 4 and referred it to the Legislative Yuan for review as part of its efforts to encourage the use of low-emission electric-powered vehicles, speed up the development of the electric vehicle industry, and boost sustainable growth, in line with international trends.

The bill won widespread support from legislators from across party lines when it reached the Finance Committee.

Main opposition Kuomintang Legislator Yang Chiung-ying (???) said it was necessary to extend the tax exemption to further bolster the use of EVs.

Citing statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Yang said in the three years in 2018, NT$43 million, NT$170 million and NT$360 million in vehicle license tax had been waived.

Ruling Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Michelle Lin (???) said it is imperative to promote the use of EVs if Taiwan is to meet the government's goal of zero emissions by 2050.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel