Government Notices published in Government Gazette No. 21,413 of 28th March 2025

IT is hereby notified for general information that the President of Malta, in exercise of the powers conferred on her by Section 120 of the Constitution, has reappointed Dr Frank Benjamin Testa as Chairperson of the Employment Commission for a period of three years with effect from 22nd March, 2025.

IT is notified for general information that, in exercise of the powers conferred by Regulation 84 of the Public Procurement Regulations S.L. 601.03, the Minister for Finance has appointed Mr John Camilleri as Secretary to the Public Contracts Review Board.

This appointment is valid for a period of three years with effect from 21st March, 2025

IT is notified that in exercise of such powers as provided by Article 3 of the Commissioners for Oaths Ordinance (Cap. 79) the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector appointed as Commissioners for Oaths, in the performance of their duties and for as long as they remain in such office, the undermentioned:

Persons who perform functions relating to the foreign service of the Government outside Malta

Cassar, Ms Marsim ‒ Counsellor, Consulate of Malta, Algiers, The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Cauchi Jones, Mr Nathanael ‒ Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Malta, Vienna, The Republic of Austria

Saydon, Ms Giulia ‒ Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Malta, Paris, The French Republic

Public Officers/Public Employees

Formosa, Sergeant Alison ‒ Malta Police Force

Pisani, Sergeant Kimberly - Malta Police Force

Fenech, Mr George ‒ Chief Executive Officer, Older Persons Standards Authority

Pace, Mr Franco ‒ Director of Operations, Older Persons Standards Authority

Advocates

Balzia Bartolo, Dr Bryony

Cesare, Dr Thea Lynn

Chetcuti, Dr Leon

Lapira, Dr Nicola

Sillato Warrington, Dr Christina

Stivala, Dr Nadine

By Authority

Jonathan Attard

Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector

Planning Permit Application – Revised Drawings

IT is notified for general information that Transport Malta has submitted a Planning Permit Application for the reconstruction and widening of existing roads including the formation and construction of a new road to link from Ħaż-Żabbar to Smart City Malta at existing road and vegetation area, Bieb Ħaż-Żabbar, Triq Bormla, Trejqet tal-Fata, Ħaż-Żabbar; Triq Santa Liberata, Triq Gużeppi Valerju Abela, Ħaż-Żabbar/Kalkara, Triq il-Missjoni Taljana, Triq Joseph Calleja, Triq il-Kanun tal-Mija, Kalkara with reference PA 7004/23.

Project plans identifying land acquisition are indicated on site plans on pages 4231 and 4232.

Any land owners, who have not yet been notified by a registered letter, should approach Transport Malta.

Appointment of Notary Delegate/Keeper

It is hereby notified that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 20 of the Notarial Profession and Notarial Archives Act, the Court of Revision of Notarial Acts has appointed Notary Dr Paul Callus to be notary delegate and keeper of the Acts for Notary Dr Keith Francis German for the period between the 24th March, 2025 till the 9th April, 2025.

Today Monday 24th March, 2025

RUTH PISCOPO

Deputy Registrar, Court of Revision of Notarial Acts

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:

THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector has approved the following acting appointment.

Grant Scheme, for the purchase of new electric kick scooters by individuals

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta (Transport Malta) is publishing a financial grant scheme aimed at persons residing in Malta to further promote the uptake of new electric kick scooters, herein after referred to as e-kickscooters.

The grant is deemed to have come into effect as of the 1st of January 2025 and is on a first come first served basis.

The grants for the registration of new e-kickscooters, shall remain into force as follows until the 31st of December 2025 or until the available budget is exhausted.

THE SCHEME

1. Interpretation

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

'Applicant' means the person residing in Malta on whose name a new e-kickscooter is registered and who applies for the grant under this scheme.

'Application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme.

'New e-kickscooter' means an e-kickscooter which has never been registered in any country before.

'Electric kick scooter' or 'e-kickscooter' have the same meaning as is assigned to them in Regulation 2 of the Micromobility Regulations – S.L. 499.67.

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

'Malta' means the Maltese islands.

'Person residing in Malta' means a 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 Home Affairs, Security and Employment.

'Registration' means the registration of the e-kickscooter in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Micromobility Regulations, S.L.499.67.

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

2. Area of Applicability

2.1. The scheme for a financial grant for the purchase of new e-kickscooters as defined above, applies to any person residing in Malta.

2.2. The grant amount issued to applicants shall amount to €150 per e-kickscooter.

2.3. Applicants are entitled to receive a maximum of one (1) grant under this scheme.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

3.1. An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made by the applicant by submitting application form VEH 078 along with any information, details and documents required therein.

3.2. Applications shall be accompanied by a copy of the certificate issued by Transport Malta confirming ownership of the new e-kickscooter.

3.3. Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working days between 07:30 and 13:00 or mailed to Transport Malta's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) at:

a) Level 1, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola PLA1212; or

​b) Malta Transport Centre, Pantar Road, Lija LJA2021; or

c) Licensing and Testing Services Gozo Directorate, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

4. Eligibility

4.1. To be eligible, an applicant shall conform to Section 2.

4.2. To qualify for the grants, the e-kickscooter shall be new and have been registered with Transport Malta after the 1st of January 2024.

5. Payment of Grant

5.1. Where an applicant qualifies for the grant, the grant shall be paid directly to a bank account held solely or jointly by the applicant, or by the spouse of the applicant.

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

5.3. A vehicle is only eligible for one grant.

6. Validity of application

6.1. 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.

6.2. The Authority shall not be held responsible for any loss of grants or opportunities resulting from the submission of an incomplete or incorrect application.

7. Refunding of grant

7.1. Any new e-kickscooter purchased by the applicant under this grant shall remain registered in the applicant's name for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration.

7.2. If the registered owner of an e-kickscooter on which a grant has been issued under this scheme transfers the said vehicle to a third party, that person shall refund the grant received from Transport Malta.

7.3. The refund mentioned in 7.2 above shall not be required in the following circumstances:

7.3.1. When the transfer mentioned therein is a transfer causa mortis to an heir or to a third party or transfer inter vivos in favour of spouses, ascendants, and direct collaterals.

7.3.2. When the transfer involves an e-kickscooter purchased under this grant which is declared to be unrepairable following an accident or for any other reason and is replaced by a new e-kickscooter, in which case the conditions related to this grant shall be transferred to the new e-kickscooter replacing the original one. The three years restriction starts from the date of registration of the original new e-kickscooter.

7.3.3. When the transfer involves an e-kickscooter purchased under this grant which is returned to the original agent or dealer for any reason, and where the agent or dealer accepts to replace the said e-kickscooter with a new e-kickscooter, in which case the conditions related to this grant shall be transferred to the e-kickscooter replacing the original one. The three years restriction starts from the date of registration of the original new e-kickscooter.

7.4. When an e-kickscooter purchased under this grant is returned to the original agent or dealer for any reason, and the agent or dealer does not replace it with a new e-kickscooter but refunds the applicant with all or part of the price paid for the new e-kickscooter, the applicant shall refund part of the grant received for the e-kickscooter vehicle depending on the period elapsed from the purchase of the e-kickscooter and its return to the agent, as listed below:

a) Less than 12 months: 75%.

b) More than 12 months but less than 24 months: 50%.

c) More than 24 months but less than 36 months: 25%.

8. Duration of scheme

8.1. Applications under this scheme shall be accepted until the 31st of December 2025 or until the exhaustion of budgeted funds, unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate or extend the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

8.2. Applications received within the deadline stipulated in 8.1 may be processed, approved and paid out after the set deadlines.

8.3. The budgeted funds for this scheme amount to one hundred thousand Euro (€100,000).

8.4. The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Amendments to the scheme

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

10. Fraudulent claims

10.1. Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works shall report the matter to the Police for criminal procedures to be instituted.  In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, the said Minister reserves the right to recover funds paid in error. Applicants are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

11. Requests for revision of Authority's decisions

11.1. Where an applicant is informed that an application for a grant is refused or does not agree with the grant amount assigned for a given application, the applicant shall have the right to request a revision of the Authority's decision concerning the application concerned.

11.2. To exercise such right, the applicant shall present a request within 30 days from receipt of the Authority's decision, whether this is received via letter or email. Such request shall be sent, by mail or by email to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, or to another office as delegates by the Chief Executive Officer and shall include an explanation of why the applicant does not agree with the Authority's decision, along with any applicable supporting documents.

11.3. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall appoint an internal board composed of at least three (3) persons who are not involved in the processing of the grant applications. This board shall review the applicant's request, the original decision of the Authority, the original application and any other relevant documents and information and shall decide whether the Authority's decision shall be withheld or changed. The board shall present its decisions to the Chief Executive Officer, or to the office delegated by the Chief Executive Officer, who shall then communicate the final decision to the applicant.

Government Grant Scheme, including Scrappage Scheme, for the purchase of used Electric Vehicles in Category L, M1 and N1, for Persons, Local Councils, Voluntary Organisations and Undertakings

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta (Transport Malta) is publishing a financial grant scheme aimed at persons residing in Malta, Local Councils, Voluntary Organisations, and undertakings established in Malta, to further promote the uptake of used electric vehicles in Category L, M1 and N1.

The scheme aims at reducing the number of older conventional motor vehicles from the road and is subject to the conditions stipulated in this document. The grant shall support the purchase of passenger cars, light goods carrying vehicles, quadricycles and motorcycles.

The grant includes a scrappage scheme intended to provide further financial support to applicants who, while purchasing and registering a used electric vehicle, deregister a vehicle of any category which is older than 10 years from its year of manufacture.

The grant is deemed to have come into effect as of the 1st of January 2025, is on a first come first served basis, and shall remain in force, i.e. all commitments to award assistance under this scheme will be made, until the 31st of December 2025 or until the allocated budget is exhausted.

THE SCHEME

1. Interpretation

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

'Applicant' means the person residing in Malta, voluntary organisation, Local Council, or undertaking established in Malta applying for the grant under this scheme, and who is the purchaser of a used Category L or M1 or N1 electric vehicle, or of a pedelec, or the owner of a bicycle as defined here.

'Application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme.

'Seller' means an agent or dealer as defined under this scheme.

'Vehicle Registration Certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by Transport Malta providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act under the laws of Malta (CAP 368 of the Laws of Malta).

'Authorised treatment facility' means a facility authorised to destroy vehicles and issue certificates of destruction, in compliance with the Waste Management (End of Life Vehicles Regulations) - S.L. 549.36.

'Grant' means the grant given under this scheme to an applicant satisfying the requirements of section 4.

'Primary production of fishery and aquaculture products' means all operations relating to the fishing, rearing or cultivation of aquatic organisms, as well as on-farm or on-board activities necessary for preparing an animal or plant for the first sale, including cutting, filleting or freezing, and the first sale to resellers or processors.

'Undertaking established in Malta' means a commercial entity established in Malta, including a self-employed person in accordance with National Law, a foundation or a cooperative society, which is not controlled directly or indirectly by the Government of Malta or funded through public funds.

'Single undertaking' means, 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 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.

'Local Council' means a Local Government as defined in the Local Government Act (CAP 363 of the Laws of Malta).

'First Registration' shall include the registration of a vehicle for the first time in the name of a person residing in Malta or an undertaking established in Malta where the vehicle concerned was registered for the first time in Malta.

'Malta' means the Maltese islands.

'Dealer' or 'Agent' means a person or entity authorised to import, sell, or buy motor vehicles.

'Voluntary Organisation' has the same meaning given to it in the Voluntary Organisations Act (Cap. 492).

'Person residing in Malta' means a 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 Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement.

'Agricultural products' means products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, with the exception of fishery and aquaculture products covered by Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

'Fishery and Aquaculture products' means the products defined in Article 5 (a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013.

'Registered Owner' means the person, Local Council, voluntary organisation or undertaking on whose name a vehicle is registered by the Authority.

'De-registration' 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.

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

'Electric Vehicle' means a vehicle which is powered exclusively by electric motors using electrical energy stored in batteries which are charged from an external electricity source.

'Used Electric Vehicle' means an electric vehicle originating from any of the following countries, and which was put into free circulation in such country before its entry into Malta:

(a) any Member State of the European Union.

(b) the United Kingdom.

(c) the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey).

(d) the Isle of Man.

(e) Monaco.

(f) Andorra.

(g) San Marino or

(h) Northern Ireland.

'De-registered vehicle' means a Category L or M1 or N1 vehicle which has been de-registered.

'Category L vehicle' means a two- or three-wheel vehicle or quadricycles falling within the scope of Regulation (EU) No. 168/2013 of the European Parliament and Council of 15 January 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles, as amended.

'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 N1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding three and a half (3.5) tonnes.

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

'Purchaser' means a person residing in Malta, Local Council, voluntary organisation, or undertaking established in Malta 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 used electric vehicles in category L or M1 or N1, as defined above, applies to any person residing in Malta, Local Council, voluntary organisation, or undertaking established in Malta.

2.2. The scheme allows a mix and match of purchase of used electric vehicles and the replacement of old vehicles.

2.3. The total grant amount issued to applicants for these grants shall not exceed the purchase price of the used electric vehicle.

2.4. The grant amounts applicable for the purchase of used electric vehicles in category L or M1 or N1 shall vary depending on the category of vehicle being registered, as shown in Table 1 of the Annex.

2.5. Every applicant is eligible to a maximum of one grant for the purchase of a used electric vehicle.

2.7. Scrappage Scheme

a) In the case of a grant application involving the deregistration of an existing vehicle, the applicant shall deregister a category L or M1 or N1 vehicle which is at least 10 years old from year of manufacture and which is registered on the applicant's name on the day of registration of the used electric vehicle subject to the grant application, on the date of its destruction, and which was destructed on the 1st of January 2024 or after.

b) The grant amounts applicable in this case shall vary depending on the category of vehicle being deregistered, as indicated in Table 2 of the Annex.

2.8. State aid Regulations

Assistance will be provided in line with one of the following de minimis Regulations:

(a) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of agricultural products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L 352/9, 24.12.2013), amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/316 of 21 February 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector  (OJ L 51I, 22.2.2019), by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023) and by Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3118 of 10 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L, 2024/3118, 13.12.2024).

(b) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 717/2014 of 27 June 2014 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector (OJ L 190/45, 28.6.2014), as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2008 of 8 December 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 702/2014, (EU) No 717/2014 and (EU) No 1388/2014, as regards their period of application and other relevant adjustments (OJ L 414/15, 9.12.2020), by Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2514 of 14 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards its period of application (OJ L 326, 21.12.2022) and by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023).

(c) For undertakings that are active in all other sectors: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid (OJ L, 2023/2831, 15.12.2023).

The total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking must not exceed the thresholds established in the applicable de minimis Regulation outlined above. The applicable de minimis thresholds are as follows:

(a) For undertakings active in the primary production of agricultural products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €50,000 over any period of three years.

(b) For undertakings active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €30,000 over any period of three fiscal years.

(c) For all other undertakings, the total amount of de minimis aid shall not exceed €300,000 per single undertaking over any period of three years.

This maximum threshold would include all State aid granted under this aid scheme and any other State aid measure implemented in line with the de minimis rule including that received from any Maltese entity other than Transport Malta over a period of three years as applicable. Any de minimis aid received in excess of the established applicable threshold will have to be recovered, with interest, from the undertaking receiving the aid.

All applicants that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU are to fill in and submit, together with the application form, a signed de minimis declaration form indicating any de minimis aid received and applied for by the single undertaking during the applicable three-year reference period. The information to be provided shall include details regarding de minimis aid received and applied for, by all undertakings forming part of the single undertaking related to the applicant undertaking. This declaration shall also be signed and confirmed by a warranted auditor or accountant.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

3.1. An application for a grant for the purchase of used electric vehicles in category L or M1 or N1 shall be made by either the agent/dealer/supplier or by the purchaser by submitting the electronic application form VEH 077 along with any information, details and documents required therein. The purchaser of the vehicle shall be considered as the ultimate applicant in terms of this scheme.

3.2. In the case of an application for the scrappage scheme, a destruction certificate issued by an approved destruction facility certifying that the vehicle which is being scrapped has been destructed in an approved destruction facility.

3.3. Electronic applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant through the e-form accessible from the information page about this scheme in the Land Transport section of Transport Malta's website (www.transport.gov.mt/land-199).

3.4. Paper applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working days between 07:30 and 13:00 or mailed to Transport Malta's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) at:

a) Level 1, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola PLA1212; or

b) Malta Transport Centre, Pantar Road, Ħal Lija LJA2021; or

c) Transport Malta, St Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

3.5. A licensed dealer/interim dealer or car agent purchasing any of these vehicles for showroom and sales purposes has the option to apply for the grant himself but on re-selling such vehicle, the buyer cannot re-apply for the grant.

4. Eligibility

4.1. To be eligible, an applicant shall conform to Section 2.

a) To qualify for the grants, the used electric vehicle in category L or M1 or N1 being registered shall not have been registered in Malta before the 1st of January 2024.

4.2. To qualify for the scrappage scheme, 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 on the date of application less the year of manufacture as certified on the vehicle's registration certificate.

b) be registered and garaged or licensed with Transport Malta in the name of the applicant on the date of deregistration, as shown on the vehicle's registration certificate or as confirmed by Transport Malta.

c) have been de-registered not before 1st January 2024.

d) once de-registered, be destroyed in accordance with the provisions of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L.368.02). Destruction certificate shall be provided.

e) Deregistered vehicles which had benefitted from the provisions of S.L.65.24 shall not be eligible for this scrappage scheme.

5. Payment of Grant

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

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

5.3. A vehicle is only eligible for one grant, and if the original owner (the beneficiary) sells the vehicle on the used market after the period referred to in Section 7 elapses, the new owner of the same vehicle will not be entitled to apply for any grant related to that vehicle, in the case such a grant would still be available.

6. Validity of application

6.1. 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.

6.2. The Authority shall not be held responsible for any loss of grants or opportunities resulting from the submission of an incomplete or incorrect application.

7. Refunding of grant

7.1. Any used Category L, M1 or N1 electric vehicle purchased by the applicant under this grant shall remain registered in the applicant's name for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration.

7.2. If the registered owner of a used electric vehicle on which a grant has been issued under this scheme transfers the said vehicle before the expiry of the above-mentioned period, then that person shall refund the grant received from Transport Malta.

7.3. The refund mentioned in 7.2. above shall not be required when the transfer mentioned therein is a transfer causa mortis to an heir or to a third party or transfer inter vivos in favour of spouses, ascendants, and direct collaterals.

​7.4. When a used electric vehicle purchased under this grant is returned to the original agent or dealer for any reason, and the agent or dealer does not replace it with a used electric vehicle but refunds the applicant with all or part of the price paid for the used electric vehicle, or replaces it with a vehicle equipped with an Internal Combustion Engine, the applicant shall refund part of the grant received for the new electric vehicle depending on the period elapsed from the purchase of the vehicle and its return to the agent, as listed below:

a) Less than 12 months: 75%.

b) More than 12 months but less than 24 months: 50%.

c) More than 24 months but less than 36 months: 25%.

8. Duration of scheme

8.1. The grants for the registration of Used Electric Vehicles, listed in Table 1 of Annex A, shall remain in force, i.e. all commitments will be made, until the 31st of December 2025. The budgeted funds for this scheme amount to five hundred thousand Euro (€500,000).

8.2. The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

9. Amendments to the scheme

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

10. Fraudulent claims

10.1. Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works shall report the matter to the Police 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 undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry our economic activity, especially with respect to State Aid regulations. Applicants are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

11. Requests for revision of Authority's decisions

11.1. Where an applicant is informed that an application for a grant is refused or does not agree with the grant amount assigned for a given application, the applicant shall have the right to request a revision of the Authority's decision concerning the application concerned.

11.2. To exercise such right, the applicant shall present a request within 30 days from receipt of the Authority's decision, whether this is received via letter or email. Such request shall be sent, by mail or by email to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, or to another office as delegates by the Chief Executive Officer and shall include an explanation of why the applicant does not agree with the Authority's decision, along with any applicable supporting documents.

11.3. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall appoint an internal board composed of at least three (3) persons who are not involved in the processing of the grant applications. This board shall review the applicant's request, the original decision of the Authority, the original application and any other relevant documents and information and shall decide whether the Authority's decision shall be withheld or changed. The board shall present its decisions to the Chief Executive Officer, or to the office delegated by the Chief Executive Officer, who shall then communicate the final decision to the applicant.

Annex: Grant amounts applicable for the purchase of used electric vehicles in category L or M1 or N1.

Table 1: Grant amounts to be paid for each used electric vehicle in category L, M1 and N1 purchased, subject to eligibility criteria stipulated in this document.

Table 2: Grant amounts to be paid when a vehicle in scrapped in conjunction with any other grant for the purchase of a used electric vehicles in category L, M1 and N1.

*Vehicle must have been registered in Gozo prior to the 11th of October 2021.

Government Grant on the purchase of Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles to be used for the Transport of Passengers for Hire or Reward

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, together with the Authority for Transport in Malta, is offering an incentive in the form of a financial grant for the licensing of new wheelchair-accessible vehicles to offer any of the services listed in Section 2 of this document, so that persons who make use of wheelchairs may have easy and unaided access to these transport services.

Through this scheme persons and undertakings that hold a licence to offer any of the services listed in Section 2 of this document may receive a grant amounting to ten thousand Euro (€10,000) when licensing a new vehicle which is wheelchair-accessible to be used under that licence, and at the same time de-register another M1, or N1 category vehicle which is at least ten (10) years old from its year of manufacture and which is registered on the applicant's name on the date of deregistration.

The scheme is deemed to have come into effect on the 1st of January 2025 and shall be implemented on a first come first served basis. The scheme shall remain open, i.e. all commitments to award assistance under this scheme will be made, until the 31st of December 2025, or until the allocated budget of one hundred and fifty thousand Euro (€150,000) is exhausted.

The conditions of this scheme are without prejudice to the requirements stipulated in the regulations for the transport services listed in Section 2 of this document; and such requirements shall always apply unless otherwise specified.

Owners who registered a wheelchair accessible vehicle to offer any of the services listed in Section 2 in 2024 but did not benefit from the respective grant scheme for that year or any previous year may still apply for this scheme.

The Scheme

1. Interpretation

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

'Applicant' means the person or undertaking applying for the grant under this scheme and who, apart from residing or being established in Malta, holds a licence to operate any of the services listed in Section 2 of this document.

'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).

​'Grant' means the grant being given under this scheme to the purchaser of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to be licensed to offer any of the services listed in Section 2 of this document.

'Undertaking established in Malta' means a commercial entity established in Malta, including a self-employed person in accordance with National Law, a foundation, or a cooperative society.

'Single Undertaking' means, 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 with that enterprise or pursuant 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.

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

'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.

'Registered Owner' means the person or undertaking in whose name a motor vehicle is registered by the Authority.

'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 category motor vehicle that allows easy and unaided access to persons who make use of wheelchairs.

'Category M1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than eight (8) 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 three and a half (3.5) tonnes.

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

'De-registered vehicle' means a Category M1 or N1 motor vehicle which has been de-registered.

2. Area of applicability

2.1. The scheme applies to persons residing in Malta and undertakings established in Malta, if that person or undertaking holds a licence to offer any of the following services:

A. Taxi services in accordance with the Taxi Services Regulations (S.L.499.59); or

B. Transport Services in accordance with the Light Passenger Transport Services and Vehicle Hire Services Regulations (S.L.499.68).

In addition to compliance with clause 2.1, to be eligible for this grant an applicant shall also be the registered owner of a Category M1 or N1 motor vehicle which is at least ten (10) years old from the year of manufacture, which is registered on the applicant's name on the date of de-registration, and which is de-registered.

2.2. State aid Regulations

Assistance will be provided in line with Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid (OJ L, 2023/2831, 15.12.2023). 

The total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking must not exceed €300,000 per single undertaking over any period of three years.

This maximum threshold would include all State aid granted under this aid scheme and any other State aid measure implemented in line with the de minimis rule including that received from any Maltese entity other than Transport Malta over the applicable three-year period. Any de minimis aid received in excess of the established applicable threshold will have to be recovered, with interest, from the undertaking receiving the aid.

All applicants that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU are to fill in and submit, together with the application form, a signed de minimis declaration form indicating any de minimis aid received and applied for by the single undertaking during the applicable three-year reference period. The information to be provided shall include details regarding de minimis aid received and applied for, by all undertakings forming part of the single undertaking related to the applicant undertaking. This declaration shall also be signed and confirmed by a warranted auditor or accountant.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

3.1. After the wheelchair-accessible vehicle is registered in Malta, the applicant shall submit application form VEH 053 in compliance with any conditions stipulated therein.

3.2. The above list is without prejudice to any documents required to register the vehicle and to license it under the applicable transport service as listed in Section 2 of this document.

3.3. Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working days between 07:30 and 13:00 or mailed to Transport Malta's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) at:

a) Level 1, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola PLA1212; or

b) Malta Transport Centre, Pantar Road, Ħal Lija LJA2021; or

c) Transport Malta, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

4. Eligibility

4.1 To be eligible, an applicant shall conform with Section 2, and with all conditions and regulations related to the applicable service as listed in Section 2.

4.2 To qualify for the grant, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle shall be:

a) a new M1 category motor vehicle required to offer the applicable service as listed in Section 2; and

b) licensed to operate the applicable services as listed in Section 2 by not later than 31st December 2025; and

c) 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

d) 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.

4.3 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) be licensed in the name of the applicant on the date when the vehicle is to be destructed, and on the date when the new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is 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 been de-registered in terms of Part VIII of the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (S.L.368.02) not earlier than 1st January, 2024.

e) Deregistered vehicles which had benefitted from the provisions of S.L.65.24 shall not be eligible for this scrappage scheme.

4.4 The grant given shall not be assessed as income for tax purposes.

4.5 The scheme will be limited to fifteen (15) eligible vehicles on a first-come-first-served basis.

5. Payment of Grant

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

5.2. Payment shall be affected only if the applicant would not have reached the limit established in the de minimis Regulation as specified in section 2.3.

5.3. Applications shall be supported by evidence that the bank account indicated for payment is held, solely or jointly, by the applicant or by a spouse of the applicant.

6. Validity of application

6.1 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.

6.2 The Authority shall not be held responsible for any loss of grants or opportunities resulting from the submission of an incomplete or incorrect application.

7. Refunding of grant

7.1. Any new wheelchair-accessible vehicle purchased by the applicant under this grant shall remain registered in the applicant's name and used to offer the same service as listed in Section 2 for a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of first registration.

7.2. If the registered owner of a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle on which a grant has been issued under this scheme transfers the said vehicle to a third party or licences the vehicle for private use before the expiry of the above-mentioned period, then that person shall refund the grant received from Transport Malta.

7.3. The refund mentioned in 7.2. above shall not be required in the following circumstances:

7.3.1. When the transfer mentioned therein is a transfer causa mortis to an heir or to a third party.

7.3.2.  When the transfer involves a wheelchair-accessible vehicle purchased under this grant which is declared to be unrepairable following an accident or for any other reason and is replaced by a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle of the same or equivalent model, in which case the conditions related to this grant shall be transferred to the wheelchair-accessible vehicle replacing the original one.

7.3.3.  When the transfer involves a wheelchair-accessible vehicle purchased under this grant which is returned to the original agent or dealer for any reason, and where the agent or dealer accepts to replace the said wheelchair-accessible vehicle with a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle of the same or equivalent model, in which case the conditions related to this grant shall be transferred to the wheelchair-accessible vehicle replacing the original one.

7.3.4. When an undertaking is struck off from within a single undertaking and the vehicle is transferred to another undertaking within the same single undertaking.

7.4. When a wheelchair-accessible vehicle purchased under this grant is returned to the original agent or dealer for any reason, and the agent or dealer does not replace it with a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle but refunds the applicant with all or part of the price paid for the new wheelchair-accessible vehicle, or replaces it with a non-wheelchair-accessible vehicle, the applicant shall refund part of the grant received for the new wheelchair-accessible vehicle depending on the period elapsed from the purchase of the vehicle and its return to the agent, as listed below:

1. Less than 12 months: 75%.

2. More than 12 months but less than 24 months: 50%.

3. More than 24 months but less than 36 months: 25%.

8. Duration of scheme

This scheme shall remain in force, i.e. all commitments will be made, until the 31st of December 2025 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 reaches the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand Euro (€150,000).

9. Amendments to the scheme

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works has 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 for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works shall report the matter to the Police 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 undertakings especially with respect to State Aid regulations. Applicants are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

11. Requests for revision of Authority's decisions

11.1. Where an applicant is informed that an application for a grant is refused or does not agree with the grant amount assigned for a given application, the applicant shall have the right to request a revision of the Authority's decision concerning the application concerned.

11.2. To exercise such right, the applicant shall present a request within 30 days from receipt of the Authority's decision, whether this is received via letter or email. Such request shall be sent, by mail or by email to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, or to another office as delegated by the Chief Executive Officer and shall include an explanation of why the applicant does not agree with the Authority's decision, along with any applicable supporting documents.

11.3. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall appoint an internal board composed of at least three (3) persons who are not involved in the processing of the grant applications. This board shall review the applicant's request, the original decision of the Authority, the original application and any other relevant documents and information and shall decide whether the Authority's decision shall be upheld or changed. The board shall present its decisions to the Chief Executive Officer, or to the office delegated by the Chief Executive Officer, who shall then communicate the final decision to the applicant.

Government scheme to promote LPG as fuel for vehicles

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta, is launching another grant scheme to promote the use of LPG as fuel for vehicles. This is another environment friendly budget measure aimed at reducing further emissions from road transport.

Subject to the below conditions, the following grant amounts shall be issued:

€400 when a petrol-powered Category M1 or N1 vehicle is retrofitted to operate on LPG or petrol.

€900 when a diesel-powered Category M1 or N1 vehicle is retrofitted to operate with LPG and diesel simultaneously.

€1,000 when a diesel-powered Category M2 or N2 vehicle is retrofitted to operate with LPG and diesel simultaneously.

€1,500 when a diesel-powered Category M3 or N3 vehicle is retrofitted to operate with LPG and diesel simultaneously.

The scheme came into effect as of the 1st of January 2025 and closes on the 31st of December 2025, or until the allocated budget of hundred thousand Euro (€100,000) is exhausted.  

Persons who have modified their vehicle to operate using LPG in compliance with the requirements set out in this document during the past years and have not received a grant from the applicable grant schemes in the past, may still apply for the grant. The amount of the grants awarded will be those defined in Notice 482 for diesel-powered vehicles and Notice 479 for petrol-powered vehicles dated 9th April 2021.    

The grants in this scheme shall be assigned on a first-come-first-served 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.

'Certificate of Retrofitting' means the certificate issued by a competent person after the retrofitting of a motor vehicle with an LPG feeding 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.

'Smoke emissions' means the visible emission from a compression-ignition (diesel) engine.

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

'Undertaking established in Malta' means a commercial entity established in Malta, including a self-employed person in accordance with National Law, a foundation, or a cooperative society.

'Single undertaking' means, 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 with that enterprise or pursuant 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.

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

'Malta' means the islands of Malta.

'Person' means a natural person.

'Competent Person' means:

In case of LPG Feeding systems installed on petrol powered vehicles, the person who is approved by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services to carry out work, supervision and certification related to the use of LPG on motor vehicles.

In case of LPG Feeding systems installed on diesel powered vehicles, the person recognised by the manufacturer of the type approved retrofit kit.

'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.

'Agricultural products' means products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, with the exception of fishery and aquaculture products falling within the scope of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 354 28.12.2013, p.1).

'Fishery and Aquaculture products' mean the products defined in Article 5, points (a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013.

'Primary production of fishery and aquaculture products' means all operations relating to the fishing, rearing or cultivation of aquatic organisms, as well as on-farm or on-board activities necessary for preparing an animal or plant for the first sale, including cutting, filleting or freezing, and the first sale to resellers or processors.

'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.

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

'LPG feeding system' means a system including equipment, tanks, software, and any other component intended to store, feed, meter and in any other way handle LPG within a motor vehicle.

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

'Smoke emissions value' refers to the measurement of smoke emitted by a compression-ignition (diesel) engine (also referred-to as the 'K value') by means of an opacity meter used within an authorized vehicle roadworthiness testing station in terms of the Motor Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Regulations (S.L.65.15).

'Category M1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the transport of persons, and which may carry no more than eight (8) passengers in addition to the driver.

'Category M2 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons comprising more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum mass not exceeding five (5) tonnes.

'Category M3 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons comprising more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum mass exceeding five (5) tonnes.

'Category N1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding three and a half (3.5) tonnes.

'Category N2 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding three and a half (3.5) tonnes but not exceeding seven and a half (7.5) tonnes.

'Category N3 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding seven and a half (7.5) tonnes.

'Motor Vehicle' means a Category M1, N1, M2, N2, M3 or N3 vehicle.

2. Area of applicability

2.1. The scheme applies to a person residing in Malta or an undertaking established in Malta.

2.2. State aid Regulations.

Assistance will be provided in line with one of the following de minimis Regulations:

(a) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of agricultural products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L 352/9, 24.12.2013), amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/316 of 21 February 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector  (OJ L 51I, 22.2.2019), by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023) and by Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3118 of 10 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L, 2024/3118, 13.12.2024);

(b) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 717/2014 of 27 June 2014 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector (OJ L 190/45, 28.6.2014), as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2008 of 8 December 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 702/2014, (EU) No 717/2014 and (EU) No 1388/2014, as regards their period of application and other relevant adjustments (OJ L 414/15, 9.12.2020), by Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2514 of 14 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards its period of application (OJ L 326, 21.12.2022) and by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023);

(c) For undertakings that are active in all other sectors: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid (OJ L, 2023/2831, 15.12.2023).

The total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking must not exceed the thresholds established in the applicable de minimis Regulation outlined above. The applicable de minimis thresholds are as follows:

a) For undertakings active in the primary production of agricultural products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €50,000 over any period of three years.

b) For undertakings active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €30,000 over any period of three fiscal years.

c) For all other undertakings, the total amount of de minimis aid shall not exceed €300,000 per single undertaking over any period of three years.

This maximum threshold would include all State aid granted under this aid scheme and any other State aid measure granted under the de minimis Regulation including that received and/or applied for from any entity other than Transport Malta over a period of three years established according to the applicable de minimis Regulation. Any de minimis aid received in excess of the established applicable threshold will have to be recovered, with interest, from the undertaking receiving the aid.

All applicants that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU are to fill in and submit, together with the application form, a signed de minimis declaration form indicating all undertakings forming part of the single undertaking related to the applicant undertaking, and any de minimis aid received and/or applied for by the single undertaking during the applicable three-year period established according to the applicable de minimis Regulation. This declaration shall also be signed and confirmed by a warranted auditor or accountant.

2.3. The applicant must be the registered owner of a motor vehicle which:

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

(b) has been retrofitted to operate with LPG by a competent person, and

(c) In the case of a petrol-powered vehicle:

has been equipped with an LPG feeding system that complies with the requirements of UN ECE 67 or UN ECE 115 and has been approved by an approving authority as the kind authorized in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/858, and that allows the vehicle to operate using petrol or LPG.

(d) In the case of a diesel-powered vehicle:

i. has been retrofitted with an LPG feeding system approved by a type-approval authority of any European Union Member State for use on the category of the vehicle concerned and allowing the vehicle's engine to operate with diesel and LPG simultaneously with both fuels being metered separately.

ii. has a visible meter allowing Transport Malta officers, or their delegates, to confirm that the vehicle is being regularly run using gaseous fuel.

iii. had its smoke emission value reduced by at least twenty five percent (25%) because of the retrofitting of the LPG feeding system.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

(a) An application for a grant under this scheme shall be made by the registered owner of a vehicle following the retrofitting of an LPG feeding system on that vehicle by a competent person. One application form shall be submitted for each retrofitted vehicle. The registered owner shall submit the application form VEH060 and shall include all the information, details and documents as required in the said form and in terms of this scheme.

(b) Application forms may be downloaded from Transport Malta's website or collected from Transport Malta's offices in Paola, Lija, or Gozo.

(c) Applications concerning petrol-powered vehicles shall be signed and stamped by the competent person and shall be accompanied by the following documents and payment:

i. a copy of the certificate of retrofitting issued by the competent person.

ii. the original vehicle's registration certificate (logbook).

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

iv. VRT discrepancy form.

(d) Applications concerning diesel-powered vehicles shall be signed and stamped by the competent person and shall be accompanied by the following documents and payment:

i. a copy of the approval certificate for the retrofitted feeding system issued by a Type-Approval Authority of any European Union Member State on behalf of the manufacturer of the same system.

ii. A copy of the calibration and installation instructions published by the manufacturer of the LPG feeding system.

iii. in the case where the above-mentioned approval certificate does not apply for the use of LPG, a declaration from the manufacturer of the systems stating that the systems to be sold on the Maltese market will be adapted to operate with LPG.

iv. A declaration by the manufacturer of the LPG Feeding System recognising the person who retrofitted the vehicle as a competent person;

v. a copy of the certificate of retrofitting issued by the competent person.

​vi. the original vehicle's registration certificate (logbook).

vii. a VRT emissions test result issued when the retrofitted vehicle is running on Diesel only (Diesel-Only Result).

viii. a VRT emissions test result issued when the retrofitted vehicle is running on Dual-Fuel mode (Dual-Fuel Result).

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

(e) Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working days between 7.30 a.m and 1.00 p.m. or mailed to Transport Malta's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) at:

i. Level 1, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola, PLA1212.

ii. Malta Transport Centre, Pantar Road, Ħal Lija, LJA2021; or

iii. Licensing and Testing Services Gozo Directorate, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

4. Eligibility

4.1. To be eligible, an applicant shall conform with Section 2.

4.2. To qualify, the motor vehicle:

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

​(b) shall conform with Section 2.

4.3. Applicants shall be entitled for up to ten (10) grants under this scheme.

5. Payment of Grant

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

5.2. Payment shall be affected only if the applicant would not have reached the limits established in the applicable de minimis Regulation as specified in section 2.2.

5.3. Applications shall be supported by evidence that the bank account indicated for payment is held, solely or jointly, by the applicant or by a spouse of the applicant.

6. Validity of application

6.1 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 until the missing information is provided. Transport Malta shall write to the applicant advising him of the information required.

6.2 The Authority shall not be held responsible for any loss of grants or opportunities resulting from the submission of an incomplete or incorrect application.

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

7.1. A person or undertaking who receives a grant under this scheme shall be obliged to refund such grant to Transport Malta if within a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of the grant's approval:

(a) the owner of a vehicle on which an LPG feeding system had been retrofitted makes a request to Transport Malta to have the system removed; or

(b) It is proven that this system was either removed, tampered with, or disabled in any way.

7.2. Moreover, in the case of diesel-powered vehicles only, this refund obligation shall also apply if:

(a) it is proven that this system was not being used appropriately as evidenced from the system's metering device; or

(b) it results that the system's metering device has been removed or tampered with; or

(c) the security sticker has been removed.

8. Duration of scheme

8.1. This scheme shall remain in force until the 31st of December 2025 unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. This grant scheme shall be considered as terminated when the respective budget is used. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

8.2. The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

8.3. Applications received within the deadline stipulated in 8.1 may be processed, approved, and paid out until 31st December, 2026.

9. Amendments to the scheme

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

10. Fraudulent claims

10.1. Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works shall report the matter to the Police for criminal procedures to be instituted.  In the event of an incorrect payment of a claim, the said Minister reserves the right to recover funds paid in error. This also applies to undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry out an economic activity, especially with respect to the State Aid declaration. Applicants are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

11. Requests for revision of Authority's decisions

11.1. Where an applicant is informed that an application for a grant is refused or does not agree with the grant amount assigned for a given application, the applicant shall have the right to request a revision of the Authority's decision concerning the application concerned.

11.2. To exercise such right, the applicant shall present a request within 30 days from receipt of the Authority's decision, whether this is received via letter or email. Such request shall be sent, by mail or by email to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, or to another office as delegates by the Chief Executive Officer and shall include an explanation of why the applicant does not agree with the Authority's decision, along with any applicable supporting documents.

11.3. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall appoint an internal board composed of at least three (3) persons who are not involved in the processing of the grant applications. This board shall review the applicant's request, the original decision of the Authority, the original application and any other relevant documents and information and shall decide whether the Authority's decision shall be withheld or changed. The board shall present its decisions to the Chief Executive Officer, or to the office delegated by the Chief Executive Officer, who shall then communicate the final decision to the applicant.

12. Competent persons

12.1. An updated list of the persons who are approved by the Regulator for Energy and Water Services to carry out work, supervision and certification related to the use of LPG on motor vehicles may be obtained from the website of the Regulator for Energy and Water Services:

​(http://downloads.rews.org.mt/files/1698667f-4dda-41a2-8dcd-c3b97614df62_65e6018b-4e84-4931-876a-957a8f976fe4.pdf).

Government grant scheme to promote the retrofitting of emission reduction devices on motor vehicles and trailers

The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works in conjunction with the Authority for Transport in Malta, is launching a grant scheme aimed at persons residing in Malta, local councils, voluntary organisations, and undertakings established in Malta to incentivise the retrofit of the following emission reduction devices:

Approved Photovoltaic Panels on heavy-duty vehicles and trailers to reduce the fuel consumption and emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2); and

Battery electric powertrains on motor vehicles to eliminate tailpipe emissions.

This is another environment-friendly budget measure aimed at further reducing emissions from road traffic.

The grant amounts shall vary depending on the type of retrofit and vehicle category concerned, as indicated in Annex I.

The scheme is effective as of 1st of January 2025 and closes on the 31st of December 2025, or until the allocated budget of hundred thousand Euro (€100,000) is exhausted.  

Applicants who installed any of the eligible emission reduction devices on their vehicles in 2024 but did not benefit from a similar scheme, may also apply for this grant.

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

THE SCHEME

1. Interpretation

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

1.1. 'Applicant' means the person residing in Malta, local councils, voluntary organisation, or undertaking established in Malta applying for the grant under this scheme and who is the registered owner of a vehicle retrofitted with any of the eligible emission reduction devices.

1.2. 'Application' means the application made for a grant under this scheme.

1.3. 'Certificate of installation' means the certificate issued by a competent person after carrying out the installation of an emission reduction device on a vehicle.

1.4. 'Vehicle Registration Certificate' means the vehicle registration certificate issued by Transport Malta providing proof of registration of the motor vehicle or trailer and in whose name the vehicle is registered.

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

1.6. 'Undertaking established in Malta' means any commercial company including partnerships registered in Malta, or a self-employed person in accordance with National Law, or a cooperative society.

1.7. 'Single undertaking' means, 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 with that enterprise or pursuant 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.

1.8. 'Local Council' means a Local Government as defined in the Local Government Act (Cap. 363).

1.9. 'Malta' means the islands of Malta.

1.10. 'Voluntary Organisation' has the same meaning given to it in the Voluntary Organisations Act (Cap. 492).

1.11. 'Approved Photovoltaic Panels' means a device that transforms light energy into electricity, which is specifically designed to be installed on heavy-duty vehicles, and which is approved for this purpose by Transport Malta pursuant to Section 3(i).

1.12. 'Competent Person' means the person who is employed or engaged by an approved installer, and who is approved to install emission reduction devices on vehicles by the manufacturer of the same devices.

1.13. 'Person residing in Malta' means a 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 Home Affairs, Security, and Employment.

1.14. 'Agricultural products' means products listed in Annex I to the Treaty, with the exception of fishery and aquaculture products falling within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

1.15. 'Fishery and Aquaculture Products' means the products defined in Article 5, points (a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013.

1.16. 'Primary production of fishery and aquaculture products' means all operations relating to the fishing, rearing or cultivation of aquatic organisms, as well as on-farm or on-board activities necessary for preparing an animal or plant for the first sale, including cutting, filleting or freezing, and the first sale to resellers or processors.

1.17. 'Registered Owner' means the person in whose name a motor vehicle or trailer is registered by Transport Malta.

1.18. 'Battery Electric Powertrain' means the assembly of components that pushes a vehicle forward by extracting electrical power from the batteries and transmitting it to the electrical motor/s, which in turn transmits rotational energy to the wheels on the ground.

1.19. 'Trailer' means a category O3 or O4 vehicle.

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

1.21. 'Motor Vehicle' means a Category L or M1 or M2 or M3 or N1 or N2 or N3 or SP1 vehicle.

1.22. 'ICE Motor Vehicle' means a motor vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine.

1.23. 'Heavy-duty vehicle' means a Category M2 or M3 or N2 or N3 vehicle.

1.24. 'Category L vehicle' means a two- or three-wheel vehicle or quadricycles falling within the scope of Regulation (EU) No. 168/2013 of the European Parliament and Council of 15 January, 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles, as amended.

1.25. 'Category M1 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat.

1.26. 'Category M2 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons comprising more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum mass not exceeding five (5) tonnes.

1.27. 'Category M3 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of persons comprising more than eight (8) seats in addition to the driver's seat and having a maximum mass exceeding five (5) tonnes.

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

1.29. 'Category N2 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding seven and a half (7.5) tonnes, and with a surface area of at least.

1.30. 'Category N3 vehicle' means a motor vehicle used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding seven and a half (7.5) tonnes.

1.31. 'Category O3 vehicle' means a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes.

1.32. 'Category O4 vehicle' means a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes.

1.33. 'Category SP1 vehicle' means a special purpose vehicle of Category N3 having specific technical features that enable it to perform a function that requires special arrangements or equipment.

2. Area of applicability

2.1. The scheme for a financial grant for the installation of emission reduction devices on motor vehicles and trailers applies to any person residing in Malta, local council, voluntary organisation, or undertaking established in Malta.

2.2. The scheme allows a mix and match of retrofitting on the same or different vehicles owned by the same applicant.

2.3. In the case of applications concerning special purpose vehicles, the applicable conditions shall correspond to those applicable to the Category N vehicles with similar maximum permissible mass to that of the special purpose vehicle concerned.

2.4. Grant for the installation of Approved Photovoltaic Panels

The applicant must be the registered owner of a heavy-duty vehicle or trailer which:

(i) In the case of a heavy-duty vehicle, is registered with, and licensed by, Transport Malta in the name of the applicant on the date of installation and on the date of submission of application for the grant.

(ii) In the case of a trailer, is registered with Transport Malta in the name of the applicant on the date of installation and on the date of submission of application for the grant.

(iii) Has been equipped with approved photovoltaic panels; and

(iv) Had the installation carried out by a competent person.

2.5. Grant for the installation of an Approved Battery Electric Powertrain.

The applicant must be the registered owner of a motor vehicle which:

(i) Is registered with, and licensed by, Transport Malta in the name of the applicant on the date of retrofitting and on the date of submission of application for the grant.

(ii) Has been retrofitted with a battery electric powertrain as approved by Transport Malta.

(iii) Has the retrofitting by a competent person.

2.6. State Aid Regulations

In the case of eligible undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU, assistance will be provided in line with one of the following de minimis Regulations:

(a) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of agricultural products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L 352/9, 24.12.2013), as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/316 of 21 February 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector  (OJ L 51I, 22.2.2019), by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023) and by Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3118 of 10 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L, 2024/3118, 13.12.2024);

(b) For undertakings that are active in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products: Commission Regulation (EU) No. 717/2014 of 27 June 2014 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector (OJ L 190/45, 28.6.2014), as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2008 of 8 December 2020 amending Regulations (EU) No 702/2014, (EU) No 717/2014 and (EU) No 1388/2014, as regards their period of application and other relevant adjustments (OJ L 414/15, 9.12.2020), by Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2514 of 14 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards its period of application (OJ L 326, 21.12.2022) and by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/2391 of 4 October 2023 amending Regulations (EU) No 717/2014, (EU) No 1407/2013, (EU) No 1408/2013 and (EU) No 360/2012 as regards de minimis aid for the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, and Regulation (EU) No 717/2014 as regards the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking, its period of application and other matters (OJ L, 2023/2391, 05.10.2023);

(c) For undertakings that are active in all other sectors: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid (OJ L, 2023/2831, 15.12.2023). 

The total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking must not exceed the thresholds established in the applicable de minimis Regulation outlined above. The applicable de minimis thresholds are as follows:

(a) For undertakings active in the primary production of agricultural products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €50,000 over any period of three fiscal.

(b) For undertakings active in the in the primary production of fishery and aquaculture products, the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single undertaking shall not exceed €30,000 over any period of three fiscal years.

(c) For all other undertakings, the total amount of de minimis aid shall not exceed €300,000 per single undertaking over any period of three years.

This maximum threshold would include all State aid granted under this aid scheme and any other State aid measure implemented in line with the de minimis rule including that received from or applied for with any Maltese entity other than Transport Malta over a period of three years as applicable. Any de minimis aid received in excess of the established applicable threshold will have to be recovered, with interest, from the undertaking receiving the aid.

All applicants that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU are to fill in and submit, together with the application form, a signed de minimis declaration form indicating any de minimis aid received and/or applied for by the single undertaking during the applicable three-year reference period. The information to be provided shall include details regarding de minimis aid received and/or applied for, by all undertakings forming part of the single undertaking related to the applicant undertaking. This declaration shall also be signed and confirmed by a warranted auditor or accountant.

3. Manner of application and supporting documents

3.1. Applications for approval of photovoltaic panels.

​3.1.1. An undertaking wishing to start offering the service of installation of photovoltaic panels on heavy-duty vehicles and/or trailers shall present a written request to Transport Malta in this regard, along with the following information:

(a) The model or models of photovoltaic panels and any related equipment that the undertaking intends to start installing.

(b) Technical documentation provided by the manufacturer of the panels proving how these panels and all related equipment can be installed safely on heavy-duty vehicles and/or trailers and how such installation can reduce the fuel consumption and environmental impact of the vehicles concerned.

(c)  Installation instructions provided by the manufacturer of the panels.

(d) The details of the competent person or persons that the undertaking intends to employ or engage for the installation of these panels, along with written approval for each such person issued by the manufacturer of the photovoltaic panels.

3.1.2.  Transport Malta shall process such requests and, where applicable, issue the applicant with an approval certificate for the installation of the proposed photovoltaic panels on heavy-duty vehicles and/or trailers. Transport Malta reserves the right to limit such approval to specific categories or models of vehicles.

3.2.  Applications for grants for the installation of approved Photovoltaic Panels.

3.2.1. An application for a grant for the installation of approved Photovoltaic Panels shall be made by the registered owner of the vehicle on which the approved photovoltaic panels have been installed by submitting application form VEH 072 in compliance with all conditions stipulated therein.

3.2.2. Applications shall be signed by the applicant, and countersigned and stamped by the competent person, and shall be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) A copy of the certificate of installation issued by the competent person.

(b) A copy of the vehicle's registration certificate (logbook).

​3.3. Applications for grants for the installation of a Battery Electric Powertrain

3.3.1. A person or an undertaking wishing to retrofit a battery electric powertrain on a motor vehicle shall present Transport Malta with a detailed technical proposal prepared and signed by a warranted mechanical engineer and a warranted electrical engineer, which shall include the following information:

(a) full details of the vehicle and the original ICE powertrain.

(b) full details of the motor, battery, electric traction chain and galvanically connected high-voltage rail, and any related and/or connected components.

(c) full details of the installation methodology in accordance with the relevant EU and/or UNECE regulations, and supported amongst others by circuitry, diagrams, and photos as necessary.

(d) full details and proof of technical expertise and competence of the competent person, along with written approval for such person issued by the warranted mechanical engineer and the warranted electric engineer who signed the technical proposal.

Transport Malta shall evaluate the submitted technical proposal and revert to the applicant with its approval or rejection or request for clarification and/or further information. Transport Malta reserves the right to limit any approval to specific categories or models of vehicles.

3.3.2. An application for a grant for the installation of a battery electric powertrains as approved in clause 3.4.1 shall be made by the registered owner of a motor vehicle on which such battery electric powertrain has been retrofitted by submitted application form VEH 048 in compliance with all conditions stipulated therein.

3.3.3. Applications shall be signed by the applicant, and countersigned and stamped by the competent person, and shall be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) A copy of the approval issued by Transport Malta for the retrofitting of a battery electric powertrain on the motor vehicle.

(b) A copy of the certificate of retrofitting issued, signed and stamped by the competent person and the warranted mechanical and electrical engineers who proposed the retrofitting.

(c) A VRT test certificate issued within thirty (30) days from the date of retrofitting of the battery electric powertrain on the motor vehicle.

(d) A copy of the vehicle's registration certificate (logbook).

3.4. Applications submitted by Undertakings established in Malta or Voluntary Organisations carrying out an Economic Activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU

All applications submitted by Undertakings established in Malta or Voluntary Organisations carrying out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU shall also include the State Aid Declaration form VEH 71, signed by applicant and counter signed by a warranted auditor or accountant.

3.5. Submission of applications under this scheme

Applications under this scheme, together with all the relevant documents, shall be submitted by the applicant during working days between 07:30 and 13:00 or mailed to Transport Malta's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Unit (DVLU) at:

(a) Level 1, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola PLA1212, or

(b) Malta Transport Centre, Pantar Road, Ħal Lija LJA2021; or

(c) Licensing and Testing Services Gozo Directorate, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo.

4. Eligibility

4.1. To be eligible, an applicant shall conform with Section 2.

4.2. To qualify, the vehicle:

(a) shall be registered in the applicant's name on the date of installation and date of submission of application for the grant.

(b) shall be equipped with an eligible emission reduction device installed by a competent person.

4.3. Transport Malta reserves the right to inspect vehicles following the installation of emission reduction devices, and prior to the approval of the related grant. Such inspection shall focus on the safety of the installation and its impact on the overall safety and function of the concerned vehicle.

4.4. An applicant shall be entitled for a maximum of:

(a) ten (10) grants under this scheme for the retrofit of approved photovoltaic panels; and

​(b) one (1) grant under this scheme for the retrofit of a battery electric powertrain.

5. Payment of Grant

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

5.2. The grant given to the registered owner of a vehicle on which an emission reduction device has been installed shall not be assessed as income for income tax purposes.

6. Validity of application

6.1. 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.

6.2. The Authority shall not be held responsible for any loss of grants or opportunities resulting from the submission of an incomplete or incorrect application.

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

The registered owner of a vehicle on which a grant has been issued under this scheme shall be obliged to refund such grant to the Authority if, within a period of at least thirty-six (36) months from the date of the installation of an emissions reduction device:

a) the owner makes a request to Transport Malta to have the device removed; or

b) it is proven that the device was either removed, or disabled in any way, or was not being used appropriately.

8. Duration of scheme

8.1. Applications under this scheme shall be accepted until the 31st of December 2025 or until the exhaustion of budgeted funds, unless modified or terminated beforehand by a Notice in the Government Gazette. Notwithstanding, Government may terminate or extend the scheme at any time by giving prior notice.

8.2. The scheme may be renewed as deemed necessary by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works by a Notice in the Government Gazette.

8.3. Applications received within the deadline stipulated in 8.1 may be processed, approved, and paid out until 31st December, 2026.

9. Amendments to the scheme

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

10. Fraudulent claims

Where a fraudulent claim arises, the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works shall report the matter to the Police 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 undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry out an economic activity, especially with respect to State Aid regulations. Applicants are to make sure that the information provided is correct.

11. Requests for revision of Authority's decisions

11.1. Where an applicant is informed that an application for a grant is refused or does not agree with the grant amount assigned for a given application, the applicant shall have the right to request a revision of the Authority's decision concerning the application concerned.

11.2. To exercise such right, the applicant shall present a request within 30 days from receipt of the Authority's decision, whether this is received via letter or email. Such request shall be sent, by mail or by email to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, or to another office as delegates by the Chief Executive Officer and shall include an explanation of why the applicant does not agree with the Authority's decision, along with any applicable supporting documents.

11.3. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall appoint an internal board composed of at least three (3) persons who are not involved in the processing of the grant applications. This board shall review the applicant's request, the original decision of the Authority, the original application and any other relevant documents and information and shall decide whether the Authority's decision shall be withheld or changed. The board shall present its decisions to the Chief Executive Officer, or to the office delegated by the Chief Executive Officer, who shall then communicate the final decision to the applicant.

Annex I

1. Grant for the retrofitting of approved Photovoltaic Panels

The grant amount for the installation of approved photovoltaic panels shall be equal to 80% of the investment costs required, but not exceeding the limits shown in table below:

Table I.1 – Maximum grant amounts for the retrofitting of approved Photovoltaic panels.

2. Grant for the retrofitting of approved Battery Electric Powertrains

The grant amount for the retrofitting of battery electric powertrains shall be equal to 80% of the investment costs required, but not exceeding the limits shown in table below:

Table I.2 – Maximum grant amounts for the retrofitting of battery electric powertrains.