New Norwegian tax scheme makes most polluting motorcycles very expensive

2017 Moto Guzzi Audace – In the Certificate of Conformity (type approval document) Moto Guzzi states that this beautiful cruiser has a CO2 emission of a stunning 214 g/km!

FEMA member NMCU, the Norwegian Motorcyclists’ Union, has written to Yamaha Europe, Kawasaki Europe and Piaggio to make them aware of a change in the Norwegian taxation scheme for motorcycles.

Why these three manufacturers? Because they have the 2017 models with the highest CO2 emissions on the Norwegian market.

From 1 July this year the Norwegian government will introduce a CO2 component in the registration tax for motorcycles that has a dramatic effect on the price of some of the top models from these three manufacturers.

Due to high CO2 emissions, the Yamaha MT-10 SP got an additional tax of 4,420 euro, the Kawasaki Z900 got an additional tax of 4,117 euro, the Aprilia Tueno V4 1100RR an additional tax of 3,941 euro and the Moto Guzzi Audace (see picture) an additional tax of 8,284 euro.

“The tax increase will most probably have a negative effect on the sales of these models in Norway”, says Morten Hansen, general secretary of NMCU.

One might, of course, say that the Norwegian market is so small that is does not matter much, but it is the view of both NMCU and FEMA that Norway is probably only the first of several countries to introduce emissions based taxes.

NMCU general secretary, Morten Hansen, is a bit puzzled by manufacturers introducing 2017 motorcycle models on the market with higher CO2 emissions than a 2,5 ton Volvo XC90 SUV.

NMCU’s Morten Hansen: “To be honest, I am a bit puzzled by manufacturers introducing 2017 motorcycle models on the market with higher CO2 emissions than a 2,5 tons, 2 litre, 250 bhp Volvo XC90 SUV.”

In the letter to the manufacturers NMCU states that the riders certainly want to keep the top range, state of the art motorcycle models, but with CO2 emissions close to, or well above 180 g/km it is a risk that high performance bikes might be taxed out of parts of the European market in the years to come. Or fall victims of future environmental restrictions.

NMCU asks Yamaha, Kawasaki and Piaggio if there is anything they as manufacturers can do to reduce the CO2 emissions from their high performance bikes? If necessary at the expense of the maximum power output or the maximum top speed of these beautiful bikes?

Click here for the NMCU letter to the manufacturers.