Israel Tightens Car Import Rules, Affecting Small-Batch Electric Vehicles
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israel's Ministry of Transport is ending the "small batch" import allowance for cars, a rule previously used to encourage electric vehicle imports, especially from China. The change means most electric cars will need to meet full European standards to be sold. This will affect older models and potentially reduce the variety of electric vehicles available, though commercial electric vehicles might still qualify for exemptions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Ministry of Transport is ending the "small batch" car import rule.
- The rule change primarily impacts electric vehicles, especially those from China.
- Previously, the "small batch" rule allowed up to 400 electric cars annually.
- Importers used the rule to bring in non-fully compliant or older electric car models.
- Commercial electric vehicles may still be eligible for import exemptions.
- The change aims to encourage full compliance with European vehicle standards.
Israel's Ministry of Transport is significantly altering car import regulations, phasing out the "small batch" import allowance. This change, detailed in instructions sent to auto importers, originally aimed to boost the electric vehicle market. Previously, vehicles could be imported if they met European, Canadian, or American standards. The European standard included an exception for "small series" vehicles, allowing limited imports of cars not fully compliant with the standard, initially for exotic supercars. In Israel, this provision was adapted to permit the import of up to 400 electric passenger and commercial vehicles annually, a loophole primarily utilized by importers of Chinese electric cars over the past eight years. However, the Ministry now states that most electric vehicles, particularly those from China, no longer require this small-batch exemption as manufacturers increasingly meet full European approval. The "small batch" rule will now primarily affect older or less-equipped models, such as the BAIC EU5 sold by Rami Levy stores. Commercial electric vehicles, however, may still benefit from the exemption, as noted by Adi Ben-Lish, head of the Road Safety Administration, who observed a significant increase in fully approved European electric passenger car models but less so in the commercial sector. Consequently, vehicles not meeting full European standards will likely disappear from dealerships unless manufacturers update them.
