Thailand to tax vehicles based on CO2 emissions by 2016

The Thai government will start taxing vehicles based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rather than engine sizes from January 1, 2016.
The new excise tax structure is divided into seven types according to vehicle type.
Currently, cars with engine sizes not exceeding 2,000 cubic centimeters (cc) and 3,000 cc are taxed at 30% to 50%, while hybrid-electric cars not exceeding 3,000 cc are taxed at 10%.
A 30% excise tax will be applied to sedans and vehicles with no more than 10 seats, with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and CO2 emissions of no more than 150 grams/kilometer (g/km). A 35% tax will be levied if vehicular emissions are 150-200 g/km and 40% if emissions are more than 200 g/km.
A 25% tax will be levied on automobiles using E85 and natural gas, with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and CO2 emissions of no more than 150 g/km. A 30% tax will be applied if the CO2 emissions is between 150-200 g/km and 35% if more than 200 g/km.
Hybrid cars with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and emitting no more than 100 g/km of CO2 will be taxed at 10%. The tax rate will rise to 20% if CO2 emissions go up to 100-150 g/km, 25% if emissions go up to 150-200 g/km and 30% if emissions are more than 200 g/km.
A 3% tax will be levied on pick-up trucks with no space behind the driver and with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,250 cc, releasing no more than 200 g/km of CO2, and 5% if above 200 g/km.
Pick-up trucks with space behind the driver and with no more than 3,250 cc cylinder capacity and less than 200 g/km CO2 emissions will be taxed at 5%; above 200 g/km CO2 emissions, the tax will be at 7%.
Double cab pick-up trucks with no more than 3,250 cc cylinder capacity and less than 200 g/km CO2 emissions will be taxed at 12%, while those emitting above 200 g/km will be taxed at 15%.
Twenty-five percent will be levied on passenger pick-up trucks with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,250 cc, releasing no more than 200 g/km CO2, and 30% if more than 200 g/km.
The Finance Ministry is expected to earn revenues of THB25 billion (US$813.8 million) from excise taxes in 2016.