The Ministry of Energy said it will discuss with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry on tax structure for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Permanent Secretary of Energy Wanrat Channukul said the country has had a tax incentive package for Eco Car, but there are more vehicles that are classified into fuel-efficient category, which include any vehicles that run on gasohol E85, compressed natural gas (CNG), and hybrid vehicles.

He said the country’s tax structure should cover the whole category, including parts, import duty tax, and excise tax for those vehicles.

“We would see fuel-efficient vehicles as the whole category that should not be classified by type of fuel which they run on. This industry should be promoted with justify tax structure,” Mr. Wanrat said.

He expects that the three ministries will jointly conclude on solution for this issue by March, before they draft a proposal for the cabinet approval.

Mr. Wanrat said vehicle that received the Eco Car project tax incentive privilege can also receive the government other incentive packages if they match the program’s criteria, which will be benefited both the manufacturers and purchasers of the vehicle.