A new fee for drivers is getting closer? Everyone will have to pay

A per-kilometer fee for all vehicles was included in the proposals of the Tax Commission, presented on June 24. The aim is to replace the current road usage fee, which covers fuels but does not include electricity.

After the proposal was published, criticism arose from the Centre Party. Bjørn Arild Gram, the party's finance spokesperson, wrote that the per-kilometer fee could become a "cost bomb" for Norwegian drivers, regardless of whether they drive electric, diesel, or petrol cars. The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) has taken a more cautious stance.

A survey by Infact for Nettavisen shows that 42.7% of respondents are very negative about the proposal. Another 12.5% view it negatively. Support is lower. Just over 18% of those surveyed have a positive view of the idea of introducing such a fee.

NAF does not reject the entire idea. The organization points out that the principle of spreading fees over a larger group of drivers, including electric car owners, could be considered. The condition concerns the total burden. According to NAF, it should not increase.

The Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association (Elbilforeningen) is not surprised by the survey results. However, Christina Bu, the head of the organization, asks what exactly the respondents were answering. In her opinion, the structure of the fee matters. It is also important whether the new levy would be added to existing fees or replace them.

Bu believes that electric car owners can participate in the costs of road use. However, she points out that they already pay a higher road traffic insurance fee than owners of combustion cars. The reason for this difference was the lack of a road fee on electricity. Therefore, Elbilforeningen assumes this element would be removed if a new fee were introduced.

The current road fee applies to fuels. It does not include electricity. The Tax Commission estimates that the development of electromobility will mean 12 billion kroner less for the state over the next ten years. That is why it proposes a system covering all vehicles.

According to the commission, the current rules lead to different valuations of road use. This concerns accidents, traffic jams, noise, road surface wear, and emissions harmful to health and the environment. There are currently about 1 million electric cars, 1 million diesels, and 0.5 million petrol cars on Norwegian roads. The commission points out that the growing share of EVs is changing the cost distribution.

All parliamentary parties except the Reds and the Progress Party participated in the work of the Tax Commission. Most of the commission wants to introduce a simple per-kilometer fee for a short period as a possible replacement for the current system.