The group had proposed introducing a reduced 9 percent VAT rate for new electric cars worth over 35,000 euros. But 42 MPs voted for debating the proposed amendment, eight were against and 40 abstained.
Petras Cimbaras, representing the Social Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania and the person behind the initiative, said it would help Lithuania to meet its EU commitments on climate change control.
Meanwhile, Aurimas Gaidziunas of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union believes sellers of such cars would mainly benefit from such a tax reduction.
Mykolas Majauskas, a member of the conservative Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats and a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance, said such a tax reduction would be aimed at rich people. "The reduction would be meant for those who are the highest-earners and are capable of buying a more expensive and luxurious car," he said.
The proposed VAT reduction would cost the state budget around 840,000 euros per year.