ÖAMTC demands: No CO2 tax for e-fuels

ÖAMTC demands: No CO2 tax for e-fuels

With its plan to be climate neutral by 2040, Austria is pursuing an extremely ambitious goal. Bernhard Wiesinger, head of the ÖAMTC interest group: “To ensure that climate neutrality is achieved by 2040 and that broad sections of the population are not massively restricted in their individual mobility, the use of sustainable fuels in the passenger car sector must also be promoted - regardless of whether they are biogenic or synthetically produced e-fuels.” An important aspect here is the tax treatment of CO2-neutral mobility. However, the draft eco-social tax reform envisages indiscriminate CO2 pricing for all fuels - without taking into account how they are produced. From the mobility club's point of view, this is counterproductive and constitutionally questionable.

Tax only on fossil fuels

Bernhard Wiesinger argues: “E-fuels and biogenic fuels do not release any additional CO2 if they are produced with renewable energies and with CO2 from the natural carbon cycle.” This must be taken into account in the eco-social tax reform by only covering the fossil share in conventional fuels in future CO2 pricing. Sustainably produced fuels or the sustainably produced portion of conventional fuels should be exempt from the CO2 tax. “This is also required by the constitutionally guaranteed principle of equality, which requires that if the conditions are unequal, unequal regulations must also be made,” said Wiesinger. A corresponding adjustment to the draft CO2 pricing would also be a signal and incentive for companies to invest in this technology. This would in turn accelerate their widespread market launch, which would close the circle to achieving climate goals more quickly.