Many were really surprised when the government abolished the bonus for climate cars from one day to the next on Monday evening. On Tuesday, there was a rush to the car dealership when many customers wanted to order an electric car on the last day with the right to a climate bonus of SEK 50,000.
At the same time, the finance minister presented the budget for 2023. The government doubles the allocation for the climate bonus compared to what was allocated in last year’s budget, to almost six billion kroner in 2023 “to take care of outstanding payments and take into account orders placed”.
But the bonus is paid six months after the car is put into traffic. This means that the money in the budget for 2023 should be enough for cars delivered in the second half of 2022, plus ordered cars delivered later.
SEK 2.5 billion mortgaged
Now figures that SVT Nyheter requested from the Swedish Transport Agency show that just over SEK 2.5 billion have already been mortgaged on cars delivered during the second half of the year up to now.
This means that there is almost SEK 3.5 billion left for cars that have been ordered, but not yet delivered. But the number of cars ordered appears to be more than that.
– Considering the delivery problems that have been, especially during the year but also last year, there will be significantly more cars during November and December than during a normal year, says company car consultant Ronny Svensson.
Unclear what the government is doing
War and component shortages have made it difficult for car manufacturers and lengthened delivery times. According to information to SVT Nyheter, there are orders corresponding to at least four billion in bonuses for pure electric cars, and up to 450 million for plug-in hybrids, according to the bonus rules that would apply next year. In addition, there are orders from the rush in connection with the bonus stop.
The previous government, which introduced the climate bonus, pushed for new money when the budgeted ones ran out. What this government will do is unclear: SVT Nyheter has contacted the finance minister, but has not received a response.