The Chinese government has announced that for the first time, drivers will be taxed based on emissions under a new vehicle and vessel tax law.
The new legislation will come into effect on January 1st, 2012. Automobiles and vessels carrying nine or fewer people will be taxed according to the level of engine emissions, as opposed to previously, when taxes were determined solely by the number of people transported.
Electric vehicles and hybrids will be excluded from the tax. Other cars, including commercial vehicles and even motorcycles will all be affected.
The change was announced in a statement published on the State Administration of Taxation website.
