The government of Spain’s Catalonia region this week introduced a carbon tax on road vehicles that is to take effect from 2018, local media reported.

The tax is based on a vehicle’s emissions, with those that emit fewer than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre exempt.

According to the El Espanol newspaper, Catalan Minister of Planning and Sustainability Josep Rull said the tax will cost the owner of an average car between €5 and €6 per year, adding that more polluting vehicles such as the sports model Audi A8 could pay up to €84.

The levy will initially be applied to the most polluting cars that emit more than 160 grams of CO2/km, with those that emit between 120 grams and 160 grams taxed from 2020.

The government forecasts the tax will raise €76 million, which will be reinvested in upgrading the government’s fleet of vehicles and financing a regional climate fund to promote renewable energy and mitigate the health effects of pollution.

The tax, which still needs to be approved by the region’s parliament, is the latest in a series of measures aimed at forcing older model cars off Catalonia’s roads and helping to cut its carbon emissions.

Barcelona wants to restrict urban street access to cars that are 20 years old or younger.

Catalonia has set itself a target to cut GHG emissions by 25% below 2005 levels by 2020.

By Mike Szabo – mike@carbon-pulse.com