Bonus malus 2022: Here are the changes

The rules for climate bonus and malus tax are adjusted at regular (and frequent) intervals and this is expected to apply for 2022. In addition, we look at planned changes in 2023.

Bonus malus: The maximum ceiling is hammered and a higher malus tax is proposed

One of the principles of the bonus malus system is that the revenue must cover the costs, i.e. that the revenue from the increased vehicle tax must pay for the bonus payments.

The climate bonus fund expires

Since the share of rechargeable cars in new car sales has increased more, and faster, than expected, the money for the climate bonus has already run out. The money that was weighted for payments in 2022 ran out already in the first month of the year because it was tied up by cars already sold. The payment of the climate bonus takes place 6.5 months after registration, provided there is money left in the cash register.

8 July 2022: Price ceiling for the bonus for electric cars and plug-in hybrids

The government has decided to introduce a maximum ceiling for bonuses for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. New cars over SEK 700,000 are no longer covered by the bonus.

- Our starting point is that those who can afford to buy cars in that price range also do not need this support from the taxpayers, says Annika Strandhäll (S), Minister of the Environment and Climate.

The price ceiling will apply to those who are currently waiting for their new electric car, which many have been doing for some time due to both component shortages and the war in Ukraine.

The exception is light trucks, which therefore do not get a maximum ceiling for what they can cost to get a bonus.

1 June 2022: reduced limits for malus

The government therefore needs to add extra money to the coffers for the climate bonus, even if the adjustment is unlikely to fill the entire hole. The government's previous proposal to adjust the malus tax is expected to enter into force later this year. Cars registered from 1 June 2022 are expected to receive a higher vehicle tax by lowering the emission limits for the tax.

This is how the limit for when a car is subject to malus is lowered:

• From 90 grams of carbon dioxide/km to 75 grams.

In addition, the upper limit, where you pay extra high taxes, is lowered.

• From 130 grams of carbon dioxide/km to 125 grams.

The maximum annual tax increase will be SEK 1,730 and the proposed change only applies to light vehicles, i.e. passenger cars and vans during the first three years, after they are registered on or after 1 June 2022.

2023: plug-in hybrid bonus is basically removed

The government is now proposing that the climate bonus for electric cars be lowered from SEK 70,000 to SEK 50,000 in 2023.

For plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, the amount is expected to be lowered already in 2022 from today's SEK 45,000 to SEK 20,000. The emission limit to be entitled to a bonus will also be lowered in 2022 from 60 to 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

In 2023, it is proposed that the maximum payout for a plug-in hybrid be lowered to SEK 10,000. The emission limit is also expected to be lowered further and land at 30 grams per kilometer. For the Volvo V60 Recharge, for example, the bonus would then land at SEK 3,000.

Update November 2022: the climate bonus is completely removed

On 8 November 2022, the Government decided to remove the climate bonus. Thus, in the future, no car buyers will receive government support to buy an electric car. Read more about the decision here .