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 to 2022. We are also looking at planned changes in 2023.

Bonus malus: Maximum ceiling is proposed and increased malus tax is proposed

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

The climate bonus fund is running out

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 earmarked for payments in 2022 ran out already in the first month of the year because it was pledged for cars already sold. The payment of the climate bonus takes place 6.5 months after registration, provided that there is money left in the cash register.

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

The government has decided to introduce a maximum cap on bonuses for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. New cars over SEK 700,000 are no longer eligible for bonuses.

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

The price cap 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 do not have a maximum limit on what they can cost to receive a bonus.

June 1, 2022: reduced limits for malus

The government therefore needs to add extra money to the coffers for the climate bonus, even though the adjustment is unlikely to fill the entire gap. The government's previous proposal to adjust the malus tax is expected to come 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 a penalty is lowered:

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

In addition, the upper limit, where you pay extra high taxes, is being 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 June 1, 2022.

2023: plug-in hybrid bonus will be removed in principle

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

For plug-in hybrids, however, the amount is expected to be reduced as early as 2022 from today's SEK 45,000 to SEK 20,000. The emission limit for being entitled to a bonus will also be reduced 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 will be reduced to SEK 10,000. The emission limit is also expected to be lowered further, to 30 grams per kilometer. For example, for the Volvo V60 Recharge, the bonus would then be SEK 3,000.

Update November 2022: the climate bonus is removed completely

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