Uruguay may scrap electric vehicle excise tax

Uruguay is working on a proposal to scrap electric vehicle excise tax, among other measures, to spur the sector.

The country has already reduced the duty to 5% from a typical rate of 20%.

In parallel, Uruguay wants to expand its network of electric vehicle charging points. State power company UTE looks to double its existing network of points, an energy, mining and industry ministry statement said. Officials are also working on plans to allow the private sector to install public charging points, stand-in minister Walter Verri said.   

“We’re facilitating access to electromobility in many ways,” Verri said during industry invent Latam Mobility South America, according to the statement.

Officials are also working on regulatory proposals concerning the use, re-use and disposal of vehicle batteries.

In related news, energy, mining and industry minister Omar Paganini met with energy officials in Dubai, where they discussed the possibility of agreements to strengthen Uruguay’s renewables sector and spur green hydrogen development, a separate statement said.

Uruguay is working on two fronts in the green hydrogen space: a pilot onshore production project and an offshore initiative.