Major issues: Electric mobility: Switzerland facing a decisive turning point

While the Swiss have just rejected the extension of motorways, another hot topic of mobility is looming on the horizon. Indeed, with the increase in the number of electric cars on our roads, it will be necessary to find, in the near future, an alternative to compensate for the shortfall in fuel tax. blue News deciphers the solutions currently on the table.

Since the beginning of the 2010s, connected cars (i.e. hybrid/rechargeable and electric) have continued to gain ground in Switzerland. Thus, in 2014, 0.1% of the passenger car fleet was made up of hybrid/plug-in and electric vehicles.

Today, this share stands at nearly 6.3%. A trend which is not ready to reverse as reported by the TCS. “When looking at connected vehicles, we see exponential growth in the fleet. Since 2012, the number of these vehicles has increased 100-fold, going from less than 2,000 units to nearly 250,000. This rate of growth implies a doubling every two years or a ten-fold increase every five years. Swiss automobile defense association on its website.

While this trend may delight climate defenders, the rise in the electrification of the Swiss vehicle fleet is, on the other hand, reducing revenues from the Fund for National Roads and Urban Traffic (Forta). The latter is used to finance national roads and major projects in favor of urban traffic. For the record, nearly 70% of this fund is financed via taxes on mineral oils.

In order to mitigate this shortfall, the Federal Council has decided that, since January 1, 2024, electric vehicles imported or produced in Switzerland must be taxed at 4%, as is already the case for other vehicles. . But this measure will not be enough to sustain the financing of Forta with the increase in the number of electric vehicles in our country. The Federal Council must therefore find new sources to subsidize this fund. At the moment, two solutions are being discussed: one proposes to tax kilowatt hours while the second alternative wishes to tax kilometers traveled.

Applying these two methods comes with a multitude of challenges. “The problem with electric vehicles is that charging stations can be found almost anywhere in the country. They may be at home, in the workplace or in public spaces. The question is therefore how to verify and put in place the tools to control this taxation,” explains Marc-Antoine Fénart, professor at HEIA-FR, on the subject of the kilowatt-hour solution. Before adding: “The other problem is that people can come and recharge their vehicle in Switzerland and go driving in France or the other way around.”

Professor at HES-SO Valais, Stéphane Genoud puts his finger on another sensitive point: “For people who recharge their vehicle at home, the electricity used is directly entered in the electric meter. The information is therefore there, but it is difficult to identify.” As a result, even if kilowatt-hour taxation is the closest to the system we have today with gas stations, it seems very complex to apply.

Fiery debates

The solution of taxation per kilometers traveled also gives rise to several challenges. Indeed, with this method, trackers would have to be placed on vehicles, which would force the authorities to create a legal framework concerning the exploitation of this data. “Communicating with a car inevitably creates concerns regarding the confidentiality of the information collected,” says Stéphane Genoud.

Despite everything, taxation per kilometers traveled seems to be the less worse of the two solutions on the table. “With this method, we are closer to paying according to the road infrastructure we use,” breathes Marc-Antoine Fénart. “In my opinion, this method seems generally easier to put into practice,” concludes the expert.

The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) is currently considering these two methods. The Federal Council should therefore soon present a project since it intends to tax electromobility from 2030, at the earliest. As this concerns an amendment to the Constitution, the people will be called to the polls. What augurs many fiery debates.