Israel to Allow Limited Import of Non-Standard Commercial Vehicles
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel's Ministry of Transportation will allow the import of "small series" vehicles, which do not meet full standards, only for commercial models until 2027. This change significantly reduces a benefit previously given to Chinese car importers. The exemption was used to encourage electric vehicle imports, but most passenger car manufacturers now meet full European standards, while commercial electric vehicles still need incentives.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel will only allow non-standard commercial vehicle imports through 2027.
- The "small series" import exemption is being significantly reduced.
- The change primarily affects importers of Chinese electric passenger cars.
- Commercial electric vehicles still require import incentives.
- Non-compliant passenger cars will likely be removed from dealerships.
Israel's Ministry of Transportation will continue to permit the import of "small series" vehicles through 2027, but exclusively for commercial models. This decision, communicated in a letter to vehicle importers, significantly reduces a benefit previously extended to importers of Chinese cars over the past eight years. Currently, vehicles meeting European, Canadian, or American standards can be imported. The European standard includes an exemption for "small series" vehicles, allowing limited imports of cars that do not fully comply with regulations, originally intended for exotic supercars.
In Israel, this exemption was used to encourage the import of electric vehicles, both passenger cars and commercial ones, with a limit of 400 per year. However, most electric car manufacturers, particularly Chinese ones, now meet full European standards for passenger cars. The vehicles still relying on the "small series" import status are often older models or those with fewer airbags, such as the BYD e5 sedan sold at Rami Levy branches. Commercial electric vehicles, conversely, still require incentives.
Adi Ben Leish, Head of the Transportation Administration, noted in his letter that while a growing variety of passenger cars now meet full European standards, this trend is less evident in the electric commercial vehicle sector. Consequently, the "small series" import route will no longer be available for passenger cars unless their manufacturers achieve full European certification. This means these specific car models will likely disappear from dealerships.