PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government has introduced new tariff incentives and adjusted export tax rates to promote the use of renewable energy products amid the ongoing oil and gas crisis.
The new rates were detailed in an announcement from the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE).
The measures, set to take effect on April 1, include reduced import duties on a wide range of renewable energy products, such as electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, batteries and charging equipment.
“Import duties have been reduced from 35% to 0% on electric stoves, toaster ovens and family-use electric vehicles (EVs) across 12 tariff lines,” according to the GDCE.
The policy is part of broader efforts to promote clean energy use and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Hybrid electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are also subject to preferential tax rates, though at slightly higher levels depending on specifications.
“Reduce import tax rates from 35% to 7% on 92 PHEV family car products and tax lines,” said GDCE.
The incentives extend beyond vehicles themselves.
Equipment supporting EV usage — such as power banks, charging stations and related infrastructure — are also included in the tax reductions, signalling a comprehensive approach to building the ecosystem needed for wider EV adoption.
In a separate measure, GDCE also confirmed a reduction of import tax rates from 15% to 0% on electric vehicle motors, solar power systems, lithium batteries (including batteries for laptops, aircraft, vehicles, solar energy systems and energy storage devices such as power banks and power stations, as well as mobile phone batteries), electric stoves and electric kettles.
The tax cuts further apply to hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and electric vehicles (EV), covering both passenger and freight transport categories across 179 tariff lines.
The GDCE has also reduced the export tax rate from 25% to 10% on bauxite (aluminium ore), covering one tariff line. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
