Cabinet approves new car pollution tax

The Lithuanian Cabinet approved on Wednesday a new tax aimed at encouraging people to buy less polluting cars and facilitating the renewal of the country's ageing vehicle fleet, Environment Minister Kestutis Mazeika said.

The absence of such a tax on cars is a key reason why that fleet is old and polluting now, according to the minister.

"Major restrictions (on vehicles), particularly on diesel-fueled ones, will be put in place in major cities, capitals, starting 2030," Mazeika said. "The absence of any tax has led to our fleet being older and having higher pollution rates."

"This step is necessary because even stricter decisions will have to made in the future if we fail to take any decision today," he added.

If endorsed by the parliament, the new tax will be introduced next year. A levy ranging from several tens of euros to 1,400 euros per car will be charged every time a car is registered or reregistered.