Transport financial grants announced

Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg announced the largest package of transport financial grants ever awarded through Transport Malta.

Minister Ian Borg said, “We are once again here to continue offering more financial incentives to Maltese families in order to make use of more sustainable and efficient means of transport. It is worth recalling that this government is working seriously on the subject of alternative transport, not only on the basis of these financial measures, but also through incentives that we have taken and are still taking, including free public transport for many sectors in society, the liberalisation of the fast ferry service for the greater use of shipping, and also the start of a direct route by sea and public transport between Cospicua and Sliema."

Minister Ian Borg explained how these schemes are a demonstration of an environmentally friendly government, and added that, “As a government, we are committed to continue making a difference in order to achieve our main goal, and to maintain our European commitment as well."

A total of five grants will be awarded and, from today, applications will be open and can be accessed from the Transport Malta website so that the public can apply for these grants.

The five grants are based on schemes which include:

Grant No. 1

1. - Incentive scheme to enable the public to change their car engines to make more vehicles run on autogas

This measure will see to it that emissions from road traffic are reduced. For this measure, a person can benefit from a grant of €400 per vehicle in category M1 or N1 which is modified to be able to run on autogas. Persons who have modified their vehicle in previous years to run on autogas can apply for the scheme.

2. - Scheme to incentivise the use of Dual Fuel Systems on Heavy Duty diesel vehicles

Another measure to reduce emissions from road traffic. For this measure, a person can benefit from a grant of €800 when a heavy-duty motor vehicle is equipped with this system, which results in a reduction in smoke emissions of at least 25%.

Grant No. 2

Scheme to incentivise the purchase of environmentally friendly vehicles

The purchase of new M1 vehicles that are environmentally friendly and at the same time eliminating old vehicles from the road is being encouraged. The grant amounts to a maximum of €1,500 awarded when purchasing a new vehicle in category M1 and a grant of € 2,000 when purchasing a new hybrid vehicle in category M1, while cancelling the registration of an old vehicle in category M1 or N1.

Grant No. 3

A scheme to incentivise the scrapping of an old vehicle and the purchase of an electric vehicle or a Plug-In Hybrid for individuals, local councils, NGOs and businesses.

In the case of Private Individuals:

• €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under Category M1 or N1 while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

• €8,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under category M1 or N1 without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

• €5,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1 or N1 and which is not older than 6 months from date of first registration and does not exceed 6,000 km on the odometer while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2 ,N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from  its year of manufacture;

• €4,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1 or N1 and which is not older than 6 months from date of first registration and does not exceed 6,000 km on the odometer without de-registering and scrapping another ICE vehicle;

• €3,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1 or N1 and which is not older than 36 months from date of first registration and does not exceed 15,000 km on the odometer while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

• €2,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1 or N1 and which is not older than 36 months from date of first registration and should not exceed 15,000 km on the odometer without de-registering and scrapping another ICE vehicle;

• €1,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1 or N1 and which is older than 36 months but not exceeding 72 months from the date of first registration.

In the case of local councils, NGOs, Registered Businesses and Registered Private Companies:

• €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under category M1 while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

• €8,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under category M1 without de-registering and scrapping another ICE vehicle;

• €12,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under category N1, N2, M2 or M3 and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

• €11,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the Category N1, N2, M2 or M3 without de-registering and scrapping another ICE vehicle;

• €5,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1, N1 or N2 and which is not older than 6 months from date of first registration and does  not exceed 6,000km on the odometer while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2 or N1, N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from  its year of manufacture;

• €3,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1, N1 or N2 and which is not older than 6 months from date of first registration and does not exceed 6,000 km on the odometer without de-registering and scrapping another ICE vehicle;

• €3,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under  categories M1, N1 or N2 and which is not older than 36 months from date of first registration and does not exceed 15,000 km on the odometer while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2 ,N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

• €2,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under categories M1, N1 or N2 and which is not older than 36 months from date of first registration and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer  without de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2 ,N1 or N2 ICE vehicle ;

• €1,000 when registering a used electric vehicle falling under M1, N1 or N2 and which is older than 36 months but not exceeding 72 months from the date of first registration.

Grant No. 4

A scheme which covers the purchase of Pedelecs and Vehicles in Category L

In this scheme two types of grants are being offered –  Grant A and Grant B. An Applicant here refers to either the person, the local council, voluntary organisations or enterprises.

Grant A:

Grant B:

• €1,000 when a person registering a pedelec or a new category L vehicle eligible for grant A removes from registration a vehicle in Category M1 or N1 that is at least ten (10) years old from the year of its manufacture;

Or

• €500 when a person registering a pedelec or a new category L vehicle eligible for grant A removes from registration a Category L vehicle that is at least ten (10) years old from the year of its manufacture.

Grant No. 5

Purchase of vehicles that are accessible to people with disabilities by wheelchair

This scheme is open to vehicles used for the rental or compensation of passengers. For this measure, a person can benefit from a grant amounting to €10,000 when they license a new vehicle in category M1, or M2, or M3.