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OREANDA-NEWS. Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which includes Russia, has decided to reset the customs duties on imports of electric vehicles up to September of 2017. Therewith, the exemption does not affect hybrid cars and "plug-in hybrid" cars. The decision will enter into force on September 2nd, 2016, said in a statement on the ECE website.

The rate of customs duties for electric cars will drop from 17% to 0% and for cargo with full weight up to 5 tons - from 15% to 5%. According to the commission, fee reduction will promote the use of environmentally friendly transport in the EAEC (association members, except Russia, are also Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan), and creation of conditions for the formation of the market of electric vehicles. The widespread use of electric passenger cars and trucks will give impetus to the development of charging infrastructure facilities. Market of electric vehicles in EAEC countries is still extremely sensitive to price. From February 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2015 for electric cars it was already operated a zero rate of import duty. 

"Fees are reduced for a time”, - said Veronica Nikishina, Minister for Trade of the ECE. – Whether this measure will be extended the next year or not, it depends on the market development of electric vehicles, the necessary infrastructure, as well as on how mass production of electric vehicles, on the launch of serial production of electric cars within Union.