Government Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 20,394 of 24 April 2020

IT is notified for general information that the following Bill is published in the Supplement to this Gazzette:

Bill No. 126 entitled the Devolution of Certain Ministerial Powers (Amendment) Act, 2020.

IT is hereby notified for general information that the following person has been appointed Executive Secretary of that Local Council with effect from 20th April, 2020:

THE Commissioner of Inland Revenue notifies that, on the date shown hereunder, the price of gold and silver on which valuations made by the Consul for Goldsmiths and Silversmiths are based has been fixed for the purposes of article 14 of the said Act as follows:

Government Grant on the Purchaseof Environment-friendly Vehicles

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta, will be launching a grant scheme to incentivise the purchase of new M1 motor vehicles whilst at the same time reducing the number of old motor vehicles from the road.

Subject to various conditions, the amount of the grant shall be up to a maximum of €1,500, which shall be given upon the purchase of a new Category M1 motor vehicles and a grant of €2,000 upon registering a new Category M1 hybrid vehicles whilst at the same time de-registering a vehicle M1 or N1.

The scheme commences on the 1st January, 2020, on a first come first serve basis.

The Scheme

1. Interpretation

For the purpose of the scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means the person applying for the grant under this scheme and who, apart from being a person residing in Malta, is the purchaser of a new M1 vehicle as defined hereunder;

'application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme;

'Authority' means the Authority for Transport in Malta set up under the provisions of the Authority for Transport in Malta Act (Cap. 499);

'certificate of conformity' means the document set out in Annex IX of Directive 2007/46/EC, issued by the manufacturer and certifying that a vehicle belonging to the series of the type approved in accordance with that Directive complied with all regulatory acts at the time of its production;

'vehicle registration certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by the Authority providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle;

'CO2 emissions' means the level of carbon dioxide emissions for a vehicle measured in accordance with Directive 80/1268/EEC as amended and contained in the relevant EC type-approval certificate or certificate of conformity, and where the vehicle is not type-approved, for that particular vehicle the emissions level contained in a document acceptable to the Authority;

'authorised treatment facility' has the same meaning as assigned to it in the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL368.02);

'grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to the purchaser of a motor vehicle which satisfies the requirements of paragraph 4 (ii);

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

'Minister' means the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects;

'person' means a natural person;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who either holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or a letter issued from the expatriate office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

'registered owner' means the person in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by the Authority;

'Member State' means a Member State of the European Union;

'registration tax' means the registration tax charged and levied in terms of the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Cap. 368);

'de-registered' means, for the purpose of this scheme, the permanent removal of a motor vehicle from its registration with Transport Malta and thereafter, that motor vehicle shall never be registered again to be used on the road in Malta;

'European Union' has the same meaning as is assigned to it by article 2 of the European Union Act (Cap. 460), and includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;

'private use' means any use other than for hire or reward or financial gain;

'new motor vehicle' means an M1 vehicle which has never been registered in any country;

'hybrid vehicle' means for the purpose of this scheme, a new motor vehicle having at least two different energy converters and two different energy storage systems for the purpose of vehicle propulsion, used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with emission between 40 and 65 g/km and its length does not exceed 4460mm as certified on the certificate of conformity, and is licensed only for private use;

'de-registered vehicle' means a motor vehicle which has been de-registered;

'M1 vehicle' means, for the purpose of this scheme, a new motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, the CO2 emissions of which do not exceed 130g/km and its length does not exceed 4460mm as certified on the certificate of conformity, and is licensed only for private use;

'N1 vehicle' means a vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;

'used motor vehicle' means a motor vehicle that has been registered;

'purchaser' means the person buying the new vehicle from another country or from the local agent or dealer, having that vehicle registered in his name and being the applicant for the grant under this scheme;

2. Area of applicability

2.1 The scheme applies to a person residing in Malta who:

owns an M1 or N1 vehicle which is at least 10 years old from year of manufacture, provided that such vehicle:

shall have been registered, garaged or licensed with the Authority in the applicant's name prior to the 14th October, 2019,

shall continue to be so registered, garaged or licensed until the date of application for the grant, and

is de-registered at an authorised treatment facility; 

or

did not have any motor vehicle (M1 category) registered, garaged or licensed in his name with the Authority on the 14th October, 2019, but who has acquired and has registered, garaged or licensed in his name with the Authority an M1 or N1 vehicle which is at least 10 years old from year of manufacture after that date, provided that it is de-registered at an authorised treatment facility.

2.2. A grant of:

€900 or the equivalent to the amount of registration tax paid on that particular vehicle up to a maximum of €1,500 will be given to persons registering a new Category M1 vehicle with CO2 emission levels up to 100g/km;

€800 will be given to persons registering a new Category M1 vehicle with CO2 emission levels between 101 and 130g/km;

€2,000 will be given to persons registering a new category M1 hybrid vehicle with CO2 emissions between 40 and 65 g/km.

Every eligible person shall be entitled to only one grant under this scheme.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made by the purchaser in the form set out in the schedule to this scheme and shall contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

The application shall be accompanied by a destruction certificate issued by the approved destruction facility certifying that the vehicle has been scrapped.

Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted or sent by post by the applicant to the Vehicle Licensing Unit, A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Paola, between 7.30 a.m. and noon and between 1.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. during working days or to the Malta Transport Centre, Triq Pantar, Ħal Lija between 7.30 a.m. and noon and between 1.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. during working days.

4. Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant shall conform to sub-section 2.1 and 2.2 of Section 2.

To qualify, the new (M1) motor vehicle shall:

be Euro Standard 6b or 6c in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC)  459/2012 as certified on the Certificate of Conformity;

have CO2 emissions between 0-130 g/km as certified on the Certificate of Conformity;

have a length that does not exceed 4460mm as certified on the Certificate of Conformity;

not have been registered before the 1st January, 2019;

be licensed for private use.

To qualify, the motor vehicle to be de-registered shall:

be at least ten (10) years old on the date of application, the age of the vehicle being determined as the calendar year as on the date of application less the year of manufacture as certified on the vehicle registration certificate;

have been registered, garaged or licensed with the Authority in the name of the applicant on the date of application, as shown on the vehicle's registration certificate or as confirmed by the Authority;

once de-registered, the motor vehicle shall be destroyed in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL368.02).

To qualify, an applicant shall not have benefitted from the grant schemes on the purchase of more environment-friendly cars which were in force between the years 2015 and 2019 and including the Government Grant on the purchase of electric vehicles.

5. Payment of grant

Where an applicant qualifies for the grant, the grant shall be paid directly to that applicant.

The grant would also be payable when the customer enjoys an exemption from registration tax and, in such a case, separate financial arrangements are made.

The grant given to the purchaser shall not be assessed as income for income tax purposes.

6. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted by the applicant unless it is completed in full and is accompanied by all the relevant documents. If the application is not completed correctly and the relevant documents are not included, the claim for the grant shall not be processed unless the missing information is provided.  The Authority shall write to the applicant advising him of the information required.

7. Refund of grant if the vehicle is transferred

The new motor vehicle purchased by the applicant shall remain registered in his name for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration. If the registered owner of a new motor vehicle, on which a grant has been provided under this scheme, transfers the said vehicle, for any reason other than a transfer causa mortis to an heir, to a third party before the expiry of the thirty-six month period, then that person shall refund the grant received to the Authority.

8. Duration of scheme

This scheme shall remain into force for a maximum period of twelve months beginning on the 1st January, 2020, unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. The scheme shall be automatically terminated when the total amount of the grants reach the amount of €1,800,000. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects shall have the right to make any amendments to this scheme by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

10. Fraudulent claims

Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects may institute criminal proceedings against those responsible. In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, the Ministry responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects reserves the right to recover funds paid in error.

11. VAT refunds

Persons who receive a grant under this scheme shall not be eligible for any VAT refunds on the purchase of the new vehicle on which such a grant has been paid.

Government Grant on the purchase of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to be used as Taxis or Vehicles for Hire with a Driver or Passenger Transport Vehicles

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, together with the Authority for Transport in Malta, is offering an incentive in the form of a financial grant for the licensing as Taxis, or Vehicles for Hire with a Driver, or Passenger Transport Vehicles of new M1 or M2 Category vehicles which are wheelchair accessible so that persons who make use of wheelchairs may have easy and unaided access to these transport services.

Through this scheme persons who own a Taxi licence, a Public Service Garage licence for the hiring of Vehicles with a Driver or an Operator's Licence for the Carriage of Passengers by Passenger Transport Vehicles may receive a grant amounting to €10,000 when licensing a new M1 or M2 Category vehicle which is wheelchair accessible to be used as a Taxi, or as a Vehicle for Hire with a Driver or as a Passenger Transport Vehicle, and at the same time de-register another M1, N1 or M2 category  vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture, which had a valid circulation licence issued in Malta for the past five years and which is registered and licensed in their name.

The scheme is deemed to have come into effect on the 1^st of January, 2020, and shall be limited to 6 vehicles - which may be Taxis, Vehicles for Hire with a Driver, or Passenger Transport Vehicles - on a first come first served basis. The scheme shall remain open until the 31^st of December, 2020, or until the allocated budget of €60,000 is exhausted.

The conditions of this scheme are without prejudice to the requirements stipulated in the Taxi Services Regulations (S.L.499.59), the Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L.65.11), the Passenger Transport Services Regulations (S.L.499.56) and the Authority for Transport in Malta's standing Policy concerning the issuing of licences for Public Service Garages (PSG); and such requirements shall apply at all times unless otherwise specified.

The Scheme

1. Interpretation

For the purpose of this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means the individual person, registered company or partnership applying for the grant under this scheme and who is the owner of a Taxi Licence, a Public Service Garage licence for the Hiring of Vehicles with a Driver, or an Operator Licence for the Carriage of Passengers;

'application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme;

'Authority' means the Authority for Transport in Malta set up under the provisions of the Authority for Transport in Malta Act (Cap. 499);

'certificate of conformity' means the document set out in Annex IX of Directive 2007/46/EC, issued by the manufacturer and certifying that a vehicle belonging to the series of the type approved in accordance with that Directive complied with all regulatory acts at the time of its production;

'vehicle registration certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by the Authority providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle;

'Euro Standard' means and corresponds to the dates set out in the current EU Directives and Regulations establishing emission limits for the registration of new motor vehicles;

'grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to the purchaser of a wheelchair accessible vehicle to be licensed as a Taxi, or as a Vehicle for Hire with a Driver, or as a passenger transport vehicle;

'single undertaking' includes, for the purposes of this scheme, all enterprises having at least one of the following relationships with each other:

a) one enterprise has a majority of the shareholders' or members' voting rights in another enterprise;

b) one enterprise has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of another enterprise;

c) one enterprise has the right to exercise a dominant influence over another enterprise pursuant to a contract entered into with that enterprise or to a provision in its memorandum or articles of association;

d) one enterprise, which is a shareholder in or member of another enterprise, controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders in or members of that enterprise, a majority of shareholders' or members' voting rights in that enterprise.

Enterprises having any of the relationships referred to in points (a) to (d) above through one or more other enterprises shall also be considered to be a single undertaking.

'registered company' has the same meaning as is assigned to it under Article 2 of the Companies Act (Cap. 386);

'licence' means the circulation licence issued on a motor vehicle to be driven on the road and which is to be renewed annually;

'Public Service Garage Licence' has the same meaning as is assigned to it in regulation 62 of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L. 65.11);

'operator licence for the carriage of passengers' means a licence to operate passenger transport vehicles in accorance with the Passenger Transport Services Regulations (S.L.499.56);

'Taxi licence' has the same meaning as is assigned to it in the Taxi Services Regulations (S.L.499.59);

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

'person' means a natural person;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who either holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or a letter issued from the expatriate office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

'Public Service Garage (PSG) Policy' means a document published by the Authority for Transport in Malta which lays down the conditions for the issuing and running of a Public Service Garage Licence;

'registered owner' means the person, registered company or partnership in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by the Authority;

'partnership' includes an association, which is not registered under the Companies Act (Cap.386), between two or more persons;

'Member State' means a Member State of the European Union;

'de-registration' means the permanent removal of a motor vehicle from its registration with the Authority for Transport in Malta and thereafter, that motor vehicle shall never be registered again to be used on the road in Malta;

'wheelchair accessible vehicle' means an M1 or M2 category motor vehicle that allows easy and unaided access to persons who make use of wheelchairs;

'passenger transport vehicle' has the same meaning as is assigned to it in the Passenger Transport Services Regulations (S.L.499.56);

'Category M1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver;

'Category M2 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes;

'Category N1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;

'new motor vehicle' means a motor vehicle which has never been registered in any country;

'Vehicle for Hire with a Driver' means a motor vehicle registered under a Public Service Garage Licence so that it may be hired out with a driver and, unless otherwise specified, does not include a self-drive vehicle for the purpose of being driven by the hirer;

'de-registered vehicle' means a Category M1, N1 or M2 motor vehicle which has been de-registered;

'European Union' has the same meaning as is assigned to it by article 2 of the European Union Act (Cap. 460), and includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;

Area of applicability

2.1 The scheme applies to persons residing in Malta, to registered companies and partnerships if that person, company or partnership:

is the registered owner of a Taxi licence; or

is the holder of a Public Service Garage licence; or

is the holder of an Operator Licence for the Carriage of Passengers; and

is the registered owner of an M1, N1 or M2 motor vehicle which is at least 10 years old from the year of manufacture and which had a valid circulation licence issued in Malta for the past five years, provided that such vehicle shall continue to be so registered and licensed until the date of application of the grant, and is de-registered at the time of the registration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle.

2.2. Each applicant shall be entitled to a maximum of two grants under this scheme and shall be subject to the De Minimis¹ rules.

De minimis aid for the acquisition of road freight transport vehicles by undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward is specifically excluded from the scope of this scheme.

3.Manner of application and supporting documents

(i) The following application process for this grant scheme shall apply:

(a) In the case of a vehicle being ordered that is already adapted for wheelchair access:

i. Before the vehicle is ordered, the applicant shall submit the following documents for the Authority's approval:

the vehicle's technical details;

form WAV1 duly filled and signed by the applicant;

copy of a legally valid identification document of the applicant;

details of the vehicle to be deregistered.

ii. When the vehicle is ordered the applicant shall present the Authority with a copy of the order so that the grant may be reserved on his behalf;

iii. When the vehicle arrives in Malta, the agent or the applicant shall submit the certificate of conformity, detailing the vehicle's chassis number and technical details so that it can be registered and licensed for use on the road;

iv. If the vehicle is to be licensed as a Taxi, the applicant shall also submit form TX-A1 indicating what shall happen to the vehicle registered under the Taxi Licence up to that moment;

v. If the vehicle is to be registered as a Vehicle for hire with a Driver, the applicant shall submit the most recent Public Service Garage licence certificate;

vi. If the vehicle is to be registered as a Passenger Transport Vehicle, the applicant shall submit form CPOL-A3 to add the vehicle under the applicant's Operator's Licence for the Carriage of Passengers;

vii. At the same time when the wheelchair accessible vehicle is to be licensed for use on the road, the applicant shall submit a certificate of destruction issued by an authorised treatment facility certifying that the vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture and which had a licence issued in Malta for the past five years has been destroyed in the same facility and therefore may be de-registered by the Authority.

(b) In the case of a vehicle being ordered that is not already adapted for wheelchair access, and which will be so modified in Malta:

i. Before the vehicle is ordered, the applicant shall submit the following documents for the Authority's approval:

the vehicle's technical details;

form WAV1 duly filled and signed by the applicant;

a vehicle modification proposal prepared and signed by a warranted Mechanical Engineer;

copy of a legally valid identification document of the applicant;

details of the vehicle to be de-registered.

ii. When the vehicle is ordered, the applicant shall present the Authority with a copy of the order so that the grant may be reserved on his behalf;

iii. When the vehicle arrives in Malta, the agent or the applicant shall submit the certificate of conformity, detailing the vehicle's chassis number and technical details so that it can be registered and garaged;

iv. The vehicle shall be immediately taken to the place where it shall be modified, and the modification shall be done according to the engineer's modification proposal as approved by the Authority;

v. The modified vehicle shall be presented for inspection at the Authority's Technical Unit, along with a report prepared by a warranted Mechanical Engineer certifying that the modifications done to the vehicle are safe;

vi. When the vehicle is approved by the Technical Unit, it may be licensed for use on the road;

vii. If the vehicle is to be licensed as a Taxi, the applicant shall also submit form TX-A1 indicating what shall happen to the vehicle registered under the Taxi Licence up to that moment;

viii. If the vehicle is to be registered as a Vehicle to be Hired with a Driver, the applicant shall submit the most recent Public Service Garage licence Certificate;

ix. If the vehicle is to be registred as a Passenger Transport Vehicle, the applicant shall submit form CPOL-A3 to add the vehicle under the applicant's Operator's Licence for the Carriage of Passengers;

x. At the same time when the wheelchair accessible vehicle is to be licensed for use on the road, the applicant shall submit a certificate of destruction issued by an authorised treatment facility certifying that the vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture and which had a valid licence issued in Malta for the past five years has been destroyed in the same facility and therefore may be de-registered by the Authority.

(ii) Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted or sent by the applicant to the Road Transport Licensing Unit, Transport Malta, Level 0, A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Paola between 7.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. during working days.

4. Eligibility

(i) To be eligible, an applicant shall conform with subsections 2.1 and 2.2 of Section 2, and with all applicable conditions and regulations stipulated in the Taxi Services Regulations (S.L.499.59), the Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L.65.11), the Passenger Transport Services Regulations (S.L.499.56) and PSG Policy of the Authority for Transport in Malta.

(ii) To qualify for the grant, a wheelchair accessible vehicle shall be:

a) a new M1 or M2 category motor vehicle complying with Euro Standard 6 in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 459/2012, as certified on the vehicle's Certificate of Conformity;

b) manufactured in a way so that a person using a wheelchair may access the vehicle easily and unaided, and may be transported in the vehicle safely; or

c) modified locally, as approved by the Authority's Technical Unit, so that a person using a wheelchair may access the vehicle easily and unaided, and may be transported in the vehicle safely. Such modification shall not take longer than 3 months from the date of the vehicle's registration in Malta to be completed;

d) licensed for use on the road as a taxi, a vehicle for hire with a driver or a passenger transport vehicle by not later than 31st December, 2020.

(iii) To qualify, a motor vehicle that shall be de-registered shall:

a) have at least ten (10) years on the date of application, with the age being calculated by deducting the vehicle's year of manufacture shown on the vehicle's registration certificate from the year in which the application is submitted;

b) have been licensed in Malta for the past five years and issued with a circulation licence by the Authority in the name of the applicant on the date when the vehicle is to be de-registered, as shown on the vehicle's registration certificate or as confirmed by the Authority;

c) have been transferred to an authorised treatment facility;

d) have to be de-registered in terms of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L.368.02) not more than 5 working days before the wheelchair accessible vehicle is registered.

(iv) The grant given shall not be assessed as income for tax purposes.

(v) The scheme will be limited to 6 vehicles which may be:

(i) Taxi vehicles;

(ii) Vehicles for hire with a driver; or

(iii) Passenger transport vehicles;

on a first come first served basis.

5. Payment of grant

Where an applicant qualifies for the grant, such grant shall be paid directly to that applicant when the wheelchair accessible vehicle is licensed for the first time as a Taxi, or as a Vehicle for Hire with a Driver, or as a Passenger Transport Vehicle.

Payment shall be effected only if the applicant would not have reached the limits established in the De Minimis rules, i.e. the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed the amount of €200,000 (or €100,000 for a single undertaking performing road freight transport for hire or reward) over any period of three consecutive fiscal years.

6. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted by the applicant unless it is completed in full and is accompanied by all the relevant documents. If the application is not completed correctly and the relevant documents are not included, the claim for the grant shall not be processed unless the missing information is provided. The Authority for Transport in Malta shall write to the applicant advising him of the additional information required.

7. Refunding of grant

The new motor vehicle purchased by the applicant for the grant shall remain registered in his name as a Taxi, or as a Vehicle for Hire with a Driver, or as a Passenger Transport Vehicle for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration. If the registered owner of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, on which a grant has been granted under this scheme, transfers the said vehicle for any reason, other than a transfer causa mortis to an heir, to a third party, or does not keep the wheelchair accessible vehicle licensed as a Taxi, or as a Vehicle for Hire with a Driver, or as a Passenger Transport Vehicle before the expiry of the thirty-six month period, then that person shall refund the grant received to the Authority.

8. Duration of scheme

This scheme shall remain in force until the 31^st December, 2020, unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. The scheme shall be automatically terminated when the total amount of approved grants reach the amount of €60,000.

9. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects shall have the right to make any amendments to this scheme by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

10. Fraudulent claims

Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects may institute criminal proceedings against those responsible. In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, the Ministry responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects reserves the right to recover funds paid in error.

¹De Minimis rules are stipulated in Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 of 18th December, 2013, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid [OJ L 352/1].

Government Scheme to Incentivise more Autogas Powered Vehicles

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta, will be launching another grant scheme to incentivise vehicle owners to convert their vehicle to autogas. This is another environment friendly budget measure aimed at reducing further emissions from road traffic.

Subject to the below conditions, the following grant amounts will be paid:

€200 when a Category M1 or N1 motor vehicle is converted to autogas, up to a maximum of 500 grants.

The scheme comes into effect on the 1st January, 2020, and closes on the 31st December, 2020, or earlier if the available grants have been issued. Persons who have converted their vehicle to autogas during the past years may still apply for the scheme. 

The grants in this scheme shall be assigned on a first come first serve basis.

THE SCHEME

1. Interpretation

For the purposes of the scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means the person applying for a grant under this scheme and who, apart from being a person residing in Malta or an undertaking established in Malta, has the vehicle registered in his/her name;

'application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme;

'autogas' means liquefied petroleum gas with specifications according to MSA EN 589 used for the propulsion of motor vehicles;

'certificate of retrofitting' means the certificate issued by a competent person after the carrying out of the retrofitting of a motor vehicle for the use of LPG in its propulsion system;

'vehicle registration certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by Transport Malta providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle and in whose name the vehicle is registered.

'grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to an applicant who satisfies the requirements of section 4;

'undertaking established in Malta' means any commercial company including partnerships registered in Malta with the Malta Financial Services Authority or a self-employed person in accordance to National Law or a cooperative society;

'single undertaking' includes, for the purposes of this scheme, all enterprises having at least one of the following relationships with each other:

a) one enterprise has a majority of the shareholders' or members' voting rights in another enterprise;

b) one enterprise has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of another enterprise;

c) one enterprise has the right to exercise a dominant influence over another enterprise pursuant to a contract entered into with that enterprise or to a provision in its memorandum or articles of association;

d) one enterprise, which is a shareholder in or member of another enterprise, controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders in or members of that enterprise, a majority of shareholders' or members' voting rights in that enterprise.

Enterprises having any of the relationships referred to in points (a) to (d) above through one or more other enterprises shall also be considered to be a single undertaking.

'Malta' means the Islands of Malta;

'person' means a natural person;

'competent person' means the person who is approved by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services to carry out work, supervision and certification related to autogas including retrofitting;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who either holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or a letter issued from the expatriate office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

'Regulator for Energy and Water Services' means the Regulator responsible for services relating to energy and water, and to make provision with respect to matters ancillary thereto and connected therewith;

'Transport Malta' means the Authority for Transport in Malta set up under the provisions of the Authority for Transport in Malta Act (Cap. 499);

'registered owner' means the person in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by Transport Malta;

'motor vehicle' means a Category M1 or N1 vehicle;

'Category M1 vehicle' means, for the purposes of this scheme, a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver;

'Category N1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;

2. Area of applicability

2.1. The scheme for a grant of €200 for the conversion of an M1 or N1 category vehicle applies to a person residing in Malta or an undertaking established in Malta, in accordance with the De Minimus¹ rules, who is the registered owner of a motor vehicle:

(a) is registered with and licensed by Transport Malta in the name of the applicant on date of the conversion and application for the grant,

(b) has been converted to autogas by a competent person, and

(c) the autogas equipment or the autogas modification system installed in the vehicle comply with the requirements of UN ECE 67 or UN ECE 115 and have been approved by an approving authority as the kind authorized in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC as amended, vehicles powered by diesel engines shall not apply to this scheme.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

(i) An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made by the registered owner following the retrofitting of the motor vehicle with autogas equipment by a competent person, in the application forms VEH 62 set out in the schedule to this scheme and shall contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

(ii) Applications shall be signed and stamped by the competent person and shall be accompanied by the following documents and payment:

(a) a copy of the certificate of retrofitting issued by the competent person;

(b) a copy of the fiscal receipt issued by the competent person;

(c) the original vehicle's registration certificate (logbook);

(d) two VRT certificates, one issued not earlier than 90 days before the retrofitting, and one issued within 30 days after the retrofitting;

(e) a copy of a legally valid identification document of the applicant or a residence permit or an acknowledgement issued by the expatriate office (Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security);

(f) in the case of applications submitted by an undertaking established Malta, the registration certificate of the undertaking and a board resolution identifying its authorised representative;

(g) an administrative fee of €10, payable to Transport Malta, for the issue of a new registration certificate.

(iii) Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant to Transport Malta, Vehicle Licensing Unit, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola, or Triq Pantar, Ħal Lija, between 7.30am and 12.00pm and between 1.00pm and 2.30pm during working days or mailed to the same address.

4. Eligibility

(i) To be eligible, an applicant shall conform with Section 2.

(ii) To qualify, the motor vehicle:

(a) shall be registered in the applicant's name on the date of conversion and date of application for the grant;

(b) shall be an M1 or N1 category motor vehicle as the case may be;

(c) The M1 or N1 category vehicle, has to be converted to autogas by a competent person in conformity with the provisions of the Autogas (Installation and Certification) Regulations (S.L.545.26) and shall have the autogas equipment or autogas retrofit system installed thereto complying with the requirements of UN ECE 67 or UN ECE 115 and type-approved by an authorised type approval authority in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC as amended; and

(iii) Appliants shall be entitled for up to 10 grants under this scheme, and therefore for not more than €2,000.

5. Payment of grant

Where an applicant qualifies for the grant, the grant shall be paid directly to the applicant. The grant given shall not be assessed as income for tax purposes.

In the case of an application submitted by an undertaking established in Malta this payment shall be effected only if the single undertaking would not have reached the limits established in the De Minimis rules, i.e. the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed the amount of €200,000 (or €100,000 for a single undertaking performing road freight transport for hire or reward) over any period of three consecutive fiscal years.

6. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted by the applicant unless it is completed in full and is accompanied by all the relevant documents. If the application is not completed correctly and the relevant documents are not included, the claim for the grant shall not be processed unless the missing information is provided. Transport Malta shall write to the applicant advising him of the information required.

7. Refund of grant if the retrofitting is removed or disabled

Should the owner apply to have the autogas system removed from the motor vehicle on which a grant has been issued or if it is proven that this system was disabled in any way within a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of the grant's approval, then that person shall be asked to refund the grant received back to the Authority. This applies for all vehicles converted to autogas during the past years and that have benefitted from the grant.

8. Duration of scheme

This scheme shall remain in force until the 31st December, 2020, unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. The grant under this scheme shall be capped to 500 eligible applicants. These grants shall be considered as terminated when the respective capping is reached. The scheme shall be automatically terminated when the total amount of the grants reach the amount of €100,000. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects may make any amendments to this scheme by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

10. Fraudulent claims

Where a fraudulent claim arises, Transport Malta may institute criminal proceedings against those responsible. In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, Transport Malta reserves the right to recover funds paid in error.

11. Competent persons

An updated list of competent persons may be obtained from the website of the Regulator for Energy and Water Services:

Government Grants Scheme for the Purchase of Electric Vehicles, Electric Motorcycles, Electric Mopeds, Electric Tricycles, Pedal Electric Bicycles (pedelec) and Cargo Pedelecs for Private Individuals, Local Councils, Non Government Organisations, Businesses and Private Companies

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Capital Projects in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta (Transport Malta) is again publishing a number of financial grants aimed to private individuals, local councils, registered non government organisations (NGOs), registered Businesses and registered Private Companies to further incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles.

The grants are intended for the purchase of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), to incentivise the purchase of M1,M2 ,N1 and N2 Electric Vehicles, Electric Quadricycles, Pedelecs, Cargo Pedelec, Electric Motorcycles, Electric Mopeds, Electric Scooters and Electric Tricycles falling under categories L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L3e-A3 , L5e, L6e and L7e respectively with the aim of reducing the number of older conventional motor vehicles from the road.

The scheme (subject to various conditions) is as follows:

(i) For private individuals, the grant will amount to:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 or N1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 or N1 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

c) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1 or N1 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer;

d) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category, the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture, an additional €1,000 will be given.

e) €400 will be given to private individuals purchasing a new pedelec (one);

f) €2,000 will be given to private individuals purchasing a new cargo pedelec (one).

g) €400 when purchasing and registering a new electric motorcycle/scooters/moped/tricycle/quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L5e, L6e or L7e category (one).

(ii) For local councils and registered non-government organisations (NGOs), the grants can amount to:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the N1 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

c) €10,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M2 or N2 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

d) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1, M2, N1 or N2 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

e) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1, M2, N1 or N2 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer;

f) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture, an additional €1,000 will be given;

g) €400 per Pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of ten (10) new pedelec (maximum grant of €4000);

h) €2,000 will be given on purchasing of a new cargo pedelec;

i) €400 purchasing and registering of up to a maximum of ten (10) new electric motorcycles/scooters/mopeds/ tricycles/ quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L5e, L6e or L7e categories (maximum grant of €4000).

(iii) For Registered Business and registered Private Companies, an amount of grant as stipulated in the De Minimis Regulations (i.e. a maximum of €200,000 (or €100,000 in the case of single undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward) in de minimis aid per single undertaking over a period of three consecutive fiscal years), and the grant can be availed with a mix and match of vehicles as follows:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the N1 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

c) €10,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M2 or N2 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

d) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1, M2, N1 or N2 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

e) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1, M2, N1 or N2 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer.

f) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture, an additional €1,000 will be given;

g) €2,000 per new cargo pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of twenty (20) units per company (maximum grant of €40,000);

h) €400 per pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of twenty (20) new pedelec (maximum grant of €8000);

i) €400 when purchasing and registering a new electric scooter under the vehicle category L1e with up to a maximum of €200,000 grant (as stipulated in the De Minimis Regulation) to be used as part of a electric motorbike fleet;

j) €400 purchasing and registering of up to a maximum of twenty (20) new electric motorcycles/mopeds/tricycles/quadricycle falling under the, L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L5e, L6e or L7e categories (maximum grant of €8000).

The scheme is deemed to have come into effect as of the 1stJanuary, 2020, and is on a first come first serve basis. This scheme shall remain into force until the 31stDecember, 2020, or until the exhaustion of budgeted funds unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. The scheme shall be automatically terminated when the total amount of the grants reach the amount of €1,500,000 in the case of electric vehicles and electric quadricycles, and €100,000 in the case of pedelecs, cargo pedelecs, electric motorcycle, electric mopeds, electric scooters and electric tricycles. Electric vehicles registered during 2019 which did not avail themselves of any related grants in 2019 can apply under this scheme. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate or extend the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

THE SCHEME

1. Interpretation

For the purpose of the scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

'applicant' means the individual person, local council, registered NGO, registered private company, registered businesses or registered self-employed applying for the grant under this scheme and who, apart from being a person residing in the Maltese Islands or to be a private company registered in Malta, is the purchaser of an electric vehicle under category M1, M2 ,N1 and N2 vehicle or of an electric quadricycle under categories L6e-B and L7e-C, new electric motorcycles/mopeds/tricycles/quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, ,L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L3e-A3, L5e,L6e or L7e category, pedelec and cargo pedelec as defined hereunder;

'application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme;

'Authority' means the Authority for Transport in Malta set up under the provisions of the Authority for Transport in Malta Act (Cap. 499);

'seller' means an agent or dealer as defined under this scheme;

'certificate of conformity' means the document set out in Annex IX of Directive 2007/46/EC, issued by the manufacturer and certifying that a vehicle belonging to the series of the type approved in accordance with that Directive complies with all regulatory acts at the time of its production;

'vehicle registration certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by the Authority providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle;

'authorised treatment facility' has the same meaning as assigned to it in the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL368.02);

'grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to the purchaser of a motor vehicle which satisfies the requirements of paragraph 4 (ii);

'car hire' means, hiring of electric vehicles over a short period of time or for a period of years.

'registered company' means any commercial company registered in Malta with the Malta Financial Services Authority;

'Local Council' means Local Governments as defined in the Local Councils Act (Chapter 363 of the Laws of Malta) of the 30th June, 1993;

'electric quadricycle' means a Category L6e or L7e vehicle as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2002/24/EC relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles, as amended; the quadricycle needs to have safety features including seat belts, be a two passenger vehicle, including driver and can be used on the road;

'first registration' shall include the registration of a vehicle for the first time in the name of a person or a company having purchased a new vehicle which was registered for the first time in Malta in the name of a duly licensed auto dealer operating in Malta;

'Malta' means the Maltese Islands;

'Minister' means the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects;

'dealer' or 'agent' means a person or entity authorised to import, sell or buy motor vehicles;

'business' means any commercial company including partnerships registered in Malta with the Malta Financial Services Authority or a self-employed person in accordance to National Law or a cooperative society;

'non-government organisation' means any non-government organisation (NGO) officially registered with the Malta Council for Voluntary Services;

'pedelec' means a pedal electric bicycle whose electric motor is activated as soon as the rider starts pedalling and deactivated as soon as the rider stops pedalling, which can reach up to a maximum speed of 25km/h;

“cargo pedelec" means a pedal electric bicycle whose electric motor is activated as soon as the rider starts pedalling and deactivated as soon as the rider stops pedalling and, which can carry cargo between 200kg and 250kg including the driver.

'private individual' means a natural person;

'registered self employed' means, for the purpose of this scheme, any person who resides in Malta and is registered with the Employment Corporation, the Inland Revenue Department, the Value Added Tax Department and have a trade licence from the Trade Department;

'person residing in Malta' means a natural person who either holds a legally valid identification document issued in terms of the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) or who has a residence permit or a letter issued from the expatriate office at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion;

'registered owner' means the person or undertaking in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by the Authority;

'Member State' means a Member State of the European Union;

'registration tax' means the registration tax charged and levied in terms of the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act under the laws of Malta (Cap. 368);

'de-registered' means, for the purpose of this scheme, the permanent removal of a motor vehicle from its registration with Transport Malta and thereafter, that motor vehicle shall never be registered again to be used on the road in Malta;

'European Union' has the same meaning as is assigned to it by article 2 of the European Union Act (Cap. 460), and includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein;

'New motor vehicle' means, a motor vehicle which has never been registered in any country;

'New electric vehicle' means an electric vehicle (including all vehicles of this type as defined in this scheme) which have never been registered before in any country. '

'ICE vehicle' means a conventional vehicle powered solely by an Internal Combustion Engine.

'electric vehicle' (Battery Electric Vehicle) for the purpose of these grants means:

(i) a Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 vehicle fully powered by one or more electric motors using electrical energy stored in batteries which batteries are charged with an external electricity source;

(ii) a Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) - meaning a Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 vehicle having a range extender engine which recharges the battery to prolong the autonomy of the engine. The range extender engine will only be engaged when the battery level drops at a specific point, thus acting as a generator to produce electricity, thus extending the normal range of the electric vehicle provided that for the purpose of the grant, the REEV can have a guaranteed autonomy on a battery of a minimum of 40 km on pure electric charge before the range extender is automatically engaged as a back-up after the battery runs out;

(iii) a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) meaning a Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 hybrid electric vehicle that uses rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric power such as an Electric Vehicle Charging Pillar. A PHEV shares the characteristics both of a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (ICE), and of a full Electric Vehicle having a plug to connect to the National Electricity Grid or any other form of electricity supply.  A PHEV is therefore, a subcategory of electric vehicles that includes all-electric or battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles, (PHEVs). The battery autonomy (or battery range) of an PHEV needs to be not less than 30km on full electric power to qualify for the full EV grant.

'de-registered vehicle' means a Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 vehicle which has been de-registered;

'category L1e vehicle' means an electric two-wheel vehicle with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h and characterised by an engine whose maximum continuous rated power is no more than 4 kW;

'category L2e vehicle' means an electric three-wheel vehicle with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h and characterised by an engine whose maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 4 kW;

'category L3e- A1 and L3e-A2 vehicle' means an electric two-wheel vehicle without a sidecar, having a maximum power of not more than 11kw and not more than 35kw respectively.

'category L3e- A3 vehicle' means an electric two-wheel vehicle without a sidecar, having a maximum design speed of more than 45km/h with power output of more than 35kw.

'category L5e vehicle' means an electric vehicle with three symmetrically arranged wheels and a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h;

'category L6e-B vehicle' means an electric vehicle with an enclosed passenger compartment maximum power ≤ 6 kW for the carriage of passenger or goods.

'category L7e-C vehicle' means an electric vehicle with a maximum power ≤15kW and maximum design speed of ≤90km/h and an enclosed passenger compartment. Have a maximum of four non-straddle seats or a maximum of two non-straddle seats and loading area criteria.

'category M1 vehicle' means, for the purposes of this scheme, a motor or electric vehicle used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver;

'category M2 vehicle' means a motor or an electric vehicle designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum mass not exceeding 5 tonnes.

'category N1 vehicle' means a motor or an vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;

'category N2 vehicle' means a motor or an electric vehicle designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.

'used motor vehicle' means a motor vehicle that has been registered

'purchaser' means a person, business person or a non-government organization or the local council buying the vehicle from another country or from the local agent or dealer, having that vehicle registered in his name and being the applicant for the grant under this scheme;

2. Area of Applicability

2.1. The scheme for a financial grant for the purchase of an electric vehicle as defined above, electric quadricycle, electric motorcycle, electric moped, electric scooters, electric tricycle , pedelec or cargo pedelec, applies to any person residing in the Maltese Islands, local councils, non-government organisations and commercial undertakings (registered in Malta), who can register up to an amount of grant as stipulated in the De Minimis Rule, including a mix and match of possible replacement of ICE vehicles and purchase of new electric vehicles with a total maximum grant of €200,000 (or €100,000 in the case of undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward) made up of the various types of grants as indicated in this notice, and if that private individual or entity is applying for the €10,000, €9,000 and €7,000 grant, that private individual or entity shall be the owner of a registered M1, M2 ,N1 or N2 vehicle which is at least 10 years old from year of manufacture, provided that such vehicle shall continue to be so registered, garaged or licensed until the date of application for the grant, and is de-registered at the time of the registration of the electric vehicle.

2.2. The scheme, subject to various conditions referred to in this Notice, consists of a grant as follows:

2.2.1. For Private Individuals:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 or N1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 or N1 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

c) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1 or N1 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer;

d) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture an additional €1,000 will be given;

e) €400 will be given to private individuals purchasing a new pedelec (one);

f) €2,000 will be given to private individuals purchasing a new cargo pedelec (one);

g) €400 when purchasing and registering a new electric motorcycle/scooters/moped/tricycle/quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L5e/ L6e or L7e category (one).

2.2.2 For local councils and non-government organisations:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the N1 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

c) €10,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M2 or N2 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

d) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1, M2, N1 or N2 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

e) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1, M2, N1 or N2 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer;

f) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture an additional €1,000 will be given;

g) €400 per Pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of ten (10) new pedelec (maximum grant of €4000);

h) €2,000 will be given on purchasing of a new cargo pedelec;

i) €400 purchasing and registering of up to a maximum of ten (10) new electric motorcycles/scooters/mopeds/tricycles/quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, L3-A1, L3e-A2, L5e, L6e or L7e categories (maximum grant of €4000);

2.2.3 Registered Business and registered Private Companies, an amount of grant as stipulated in the De Minimis Regulations (i.e. a maximum of €200,000 (or €100,000 in the case of undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward) in de minimis aid per single undertaking over a period of three consecutive fiscal years), and the grant can be availed with a mix and match of vehicles as follows:

a) €7,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1 category while de-registering and scrapping another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

b) €9,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the N1 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

c) €10,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M2 or N2 category and de-registering and scrapping another conventional M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture;

d) €6,000 when registering a new electric vehicle falling under the M1, M2, N1 or N2 category without de-registering and scrapping an older ICE vehicle;

e) €2,000 when registering an imported second-hand electric vehicle under the categories M1, M2, N1 or N2 and the electric vehicle is not older than 36 months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer. This does not apply for companies registered as transport operators;

f) When registering a new electric quadricycle, or electric motorcycle falling under the, L6e-B, L7e-C, and L3e-A3 category the grant will be of 25% of the CIF value which amount will be capped to €6,000. When de-registering and scrapping another M1 or N1 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture an additional €1,000 will be given;

g) €2,000 per new cargo pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of twenty (20) units per company (maximum grant of €40,000);

h) €400 per pedelec when purchasing of up to a maximum of twenty (20) new Pedelec (maximum grant of €8000);

i) €400 when purchasing and registering a new electric scooter under the vehicle category L1e with up to a maximum of €200,000 grant (as stipulated in the De Minimis Regulations) to be used as part of a electric motorbike fleet;

j) €400 purchasing and registering of up to a maximum of twenty (20) new electric motorcycles/mopeds/tricycles/quadricycle falling under the L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e- A2, L5e, L6e or L7e categories. (maximum grant of €8000).

2.2.4. A registered company, partnership, cooperative society or a registered self-employed person as defined in this Government Notice shall be entitled to a mix and match of new purchase and/or replacing ICE vehicles with up to an amount of €200,000 (or €100,000 in the case of undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward) as stipulated in the De Minimis Rule, which can be in the form of a combination of different types of vehicles as defined in this Notice.

Private individuals who availed themselves of previous grants specifically applicable for Electric vehicles in the last three years ARE also eligible to apply under this grant. Private individuals can apply for two grants of which one must include the de-registration and scrapping of another M1, M2, N1 or N2 ICE vehicle which is at least 10 years old from its year of manufacture.

Local councils, NGOs and private companies who availed themselves of previous grants specifically applicable for Electric vehicles are eligible to apply again for this grant, providing they are within the limits set under the applicable State Aid Regulations in place (where applicable). However, in case of commercial undertakings or NGOs that carry out an economic activity, they are to make sure that they do not exceed the State Aid thresholds under the De Minimis Regulation.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

(i) An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made either by the agent/dealer/supplier or by the purchaser , in the form set out in the schedule to this scheme and shall contain all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme. The payment is to be done directly to the owner/applicant.

(ii) With respect to the purchase of a pedelec and cargo pedelec, the purchaser needs to provide a certified VAT invoice including the details of the pedelec or cargo pedelec and the purchaser.

(iii) Applications shall be accompanied by the following documents:

a) a destruction certificate issued by the approved destruction facility certifying that the vehicle which is being scrapped has been destructed in the approved destruction facility (applicable if another vehicle is being scrapped);

b) in the case of a company or partnership, a certified true copy of the Articles of Association or VAT certificate;

c) in the case of self-employed or a cooperative society, a certified true copy of the VAT certificate;

d) in the case of an NGO, a certified true copy of certificate issued by the Malta Council for Voluntary Service.

(iv) Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be
submitted/sent either by the agent or dealer or applicant to the
Vehicle Licensing Unit, Transport Malta A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Paola, or Triq Pantar, Ħal Lija, from 7.30 a.m. to noon and 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., during working days, together with all other relevant documents required for the registration of the vehicle, including the State Aid declaration form.

(v) A licensed dealer or car agent purchasing any of these vehicles for showroom and sales purposes may apply for the grant but on re-selling such vehicle, the buyer will not be eligible for any grants, including the second hand grant.

4. Eligibility

(i) To be eligible, an applicant shall conform to sub-section 2.1 and 2.2 of Section 2.

(ii) To qualify for the €10,000, €9,000 and €7,000, grant, the electric vehicle (Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 vehicle) shall be new, while the motor vehicle to be de-registered shall:

(a) be at least ten (10) years old on the date of application, the age of the vehicle being determined as the calendar year as on the date of application less the year of manufacture as certified on the vehicle registration certificate;

(b) have been registered, garaged or licensed with the Authority in the name of the applicant on the date of application, as shown on the vehicle's registration certificate or as confirmed by the Authority;

(c) be de-registered prior to the registration of the new vehicle;

(d) once de-registered, the motor vehicle shall be destroyed in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL368.02). Destruction certificate shall be provided.

(iii) To qualify for the €6,000 grant, the electric vehicle (Category M1 or N1 in the case of Private Individuals) and vehicle (Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 in the case of local councils, NGOs, registered business and registered private companies) shall:

(a) be new;

(b) not have been registered in Malta before the 1st January, 2019;

(c) be licensed for private use or used in connection with the provision of voluntary services or the activity of a business;

(iv) To qualify for the €2,000, grant the electric vehicle (Category M1 or N1 in the case of Private Individuals) and vehicle (Category M1, M2, N1 or N2 in the case of local councils, NGOs, registered business and registered private companies) shall:

(a) be an imported used vehicle;

(b) not be older than thirty-six (36) months and should not exceed 15,000km on the odometer

(v) To qualify for the grant, for the electric quadricycle or electric motorcycle (Category L6e-B, L7e-C or L3e-A3 vehicle) shall:

a) not have been registered with the Authority before the 1st January, 2019;

(vi) In the case that an ICEvehicle is de-registered and scrapped (Category M1, M2, N1 or N2) the vehicle must:

(a) be at least ten (10) years old on the date of application, the age of the vehicle being determined as the calendar year as on the date of application less the year of manufacture as certified on the vehicle registration certificate;

(b) have been registered, garaged or licensed with the Authority in the name of the applicant on the date of application, as shown on the vehicle's registration certificate or as confirmed by the Authority;

(c) be de-registered prior to the registration of the new vehicle;

(d) once de-registered, the motor vehicle shall be destroyed in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL368.02). Destruction certificate shall be provided.

(vii) To qualify for the €2,000 grant, the cargo pedelec shall be newly purchased.

(a) Private Companies are restricted for the purchases of a maximum of twenty (20) units.

(viii) To qualify for the €400 grant, the pedelec shall be newly purchased.

(a) NGOs and local councils are restricted for the purchases of a maximum of ten (10) units;

(b) Private companies are restricted for the purchases of a maximum of twenty (20) units.

(ix) To qualify for the €400 grant, the electric quadricycle, electric motorcycle, electric scooter, electric moped or electric tricycle (Category L1e, L2e, L3e-A1, L3e-A2, L5e, L6e or L7e) shall be newly purchased. Local councils and NGOs are restricted for the purchases of a maximum of ten (10) units while registered business and registered private companies are restricted for the purchases of a maximum of twenty (20) units.

(x) To qualify for the €400 grant, up to a maximum of €200,000 the electric motorcycles and electric scooters (Category L1e vehicle) and which will form part of a transport sharing service, the motorctcles and scooters have to be new. This part of the scheme is only open for private companies and businesses.

5. Payment of grant

Where an applicant qualifies for the grant, the grant shall be paid directly to the applicant. With respect to pedelecs and cargo pedelecs payment of the grant will be eligible on the presentation of a VAT receipt.

The grant given to the purchaser shall not be assessed as income for income tax purposes. Businesses applying for the grant can still benefit from incentives in place with respect to the purchase of Battery Electric Vehicles for tax purposes.

For this year, a registered company, partnership, cooperative society or a registered self-employed can apply for a number of grants. The total of the grant for companies can reach up to an amount of €200,000 (or €100,000 in the case of undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward) as stipulated in the De Minimis Rule.

With respect to local councils, NGOs and private individuals, these shall be entitled to purchase more than one electric vehicle under this scheme, one of the highest grant applied for needs to be at least €10,000, €9,000 or €7,000 which includes the de-registration and scrappage of an ICE vehicle as explained further above.

When the 36 month period elapses and the original owner (the beneficiary) sells the electric vehicle on the second hand market, the new buyer of the same vehicle will not be entitled to apply for the second hand grant, in the case such a grant would still be available.

6. Validity of application

An application shall not be deemed to have been submitted by the applicant unless it is completed in full and is accompanied by all the relevant documents. If the application is not completed correctly and the relevant documents are not included, the claim for the grant shall not be processed unless the missing information is provided. The Authority shall write to the applicant, advising him of the information required. In cases of a company disqualified within the same group of companies, such a transfer of the vehicle will be permitted without the need to refund the grant.

7. Refund of grant if the vehicle is transferred

The new electric vehicle purchased by the applicant for the grant shall remain registered in his name for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration. This 36 month time frame does not apply to licensed car importers especially for vehicles bought for demonstration purposes. If the registered owner of the new electric vehicle on which the grant has been provided under this scheme transfers the said vehicle, for any reason other than a transfer causa mortis to an heir, to a third party before the expiry of the thirty-six month period, then that person shall refund the grant received to the Authority. In such cases, that is, when the vehicle is then re-sold and the grant is refunded back by the original owner, the new buyer can apply for the second hand grant, if funds under this scheme are still available at the time of purchase.

For the purpose of demonstration electric vehicles imported in Malta by licenced vehicle importers only, the latter can re-sell such vehicle without re-funding back the grant availed of under this scheme not exceeding a 24 month period after registration. In such cases, buyers availing themselves of such grant will not be eligible for such a grant as this would have been already availed of by the car-importer, in which case the latter has to make sure that this is factored in the sale of the same vehicle.

It is not permissable for private companies or businesses or self employed that availed themselves of this scheme to make business or sell the electric vehicles purchased. In such cases where a vehicle is sold before the end of a five year period, the company, businesses or self employed needs to refund back the grant to the Government.

8. Duration of scheme

This scheme shall remain into force until the 31st December, 2020, or until the exhaustion of budgeted funds unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. The scheme shall be automatically terminated when the total amount of the grants reach the amount of €1,500,000 in the case of electric vehicles and electric quadricycles, and €100,000 in the case of pedelecs, electric motorcycle, electric mopeds and electric tricycles. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate or extend the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. State Aid

For the purpose of applicants that carry out an economic activity, this scheme will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1407/2013 of 18th December, 2013, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid, OJ L 352/1 of 24th December, 2013. Companies, self-employed persons and NGOs that carry out an economic activity applying for these grants should make sure that they are within the limits of State Aid and will have to fill the attached form on State Aid.

De minimis aid for the acquisition of road freight transport vehicles by undertakings performing road freight transport for hire or reward is specifically excluded from the scope of this scheme.

The scheme limits the cumulating of aid for the same eligible costs.

10. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects shall have the right to make any amendments to this scheme by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

11. Fraudulent claims

Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects shall report the matter to the Police in order for criminal procedures to be instituted.  In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, the Minister responsible for Transport reserves the right to recover funds paid in error. This also applies to businesses and NGOs, especially with respect to State Aid declarations. Companies are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

Travel Ban Order, 2020

IN terms of Article 2 (1) of the Public Health Act (Cap. 465), Travel Ban Order, 2020 (L.N. 42 of 2020), the Superintendent of Public Health hereby orders that a travel ban on persons to the countries mentioned in the following list is being suspended as the travel of certain persons is deemed to be essential:

1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11,   KM4100    Malta-London

12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19,

21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28,

29, 31 May                   

2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20,         KM4394    Malta-Amsterdam

23, 27, 30 May                                      

1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12,   KM4328    Malta-Frankfurt

13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20,

21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28,

29 May                       

1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22,   KM7612    Malta-Rome

27, 29 May