The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is considering the issue of extending tax benefits for the import of electric vehicles. Despite support for the relevant amendment to the draft state budget for 2026 in the first reading, a final decision on the continuation of these benefits has not yet been made.
This is reported by Finway
Discussion on Extending Benefits
The amendment, which proposes extending the exemption from customs duties and VAT on the import of passenger electric cars until January 1, 2027, was initiated by Member of Parliament Dmytro Razumkov. His proposal received support from 248 deputies. However, according to him, this provision can only be implemented if compensatory measures are introduced: in particular, the possibility of introducing a road fee or a charge per kilowatt-hour of battery power is being considered. Such measures, Razumkov claims, will allow for “equal rights” for owners of electric cars and those with internal combustion engine vehicles.
“Friends, we did not extend the benefit for the import of electric cars. And I am convinced we will not. Despite some efforts from importers and their lobbyists,” he wrote on his Telegram channel.
It is worth noting that after the amendment was passed in the first reading, parliamentarians emphasized that the decision is not final, and the government must submit the final version of the budget in November.
Different Positions on the Necessity of Benefits
Member of Parliament Danylo Hetmantsev stated that, in his opinion, the extension of benefits will not happen, as this amendment contradicts two laws and was only introduced for the first reading. He emphasized that this only creates unreasonable expectations for importers.
The expert community also holds differing views on the extension of tax preferences for electric vehicles. In particular, the director of the Consulting Group “A-95” Serhiy Kuyun believes that in the context of war and Ukraine’s significant need for financial resources, a preferential regime is inappropriate. According to his calculations, in 2025, the budget could lose 30 billion hryvnias due to preferential customs clearance, another 2 billion due to subsidies for electricity for electric trains, and losses from fuel excise taxes could reach 5 billion hryvnias. Over the past two years, these figures have exceeded 60 billion hryvnias.
Experts who support the extension of benefits are convinced that it will help reduce dependence on Russian fuel and promote compliance with environmental standards. According to the proponents, extending tax incentives will ensure the availability of electric transport for citizens, support small businesses, and help Ukraine meet its environmental obligations.
Currently, the import of passenger electric vehicles is exempt from customs duties and VAT until the end of 2025. A final decision on the future of these benefits is expected after the submission of the final version of the state budget in November.